Reviews - A Patchwork Planet

124 reviews for:

A Patchwork Planet

Anne Tyler

3.65 AVERAGE

madison_ainsley's review against another edition

3.0

The only relatable character in this novel is the 30 year old agoraphobe who pays people to bring her groceries

trishagreenie's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this book, though I have to admit I was surprised (and a little confused) when Barnaby started going out with Sophia. She seemed like an old lady the way she was described, but I was probably not paying close enough attention to that initial description. ;)

I loved the stories about the old people he did chores for as part of his employment...but at the same time I could see the sadness in their lives, even if they were entertaining to read about.

mary_elizabeth's review against another edition

3.75

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

hollysbookishrealm's review against another edition

5.0

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

stephjo26's review against another edition

2.5

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ashley_w's review against another edition

3.0

hopeful reflective slow-paced

lizzillia's review against another edition

4.5

A novel that, although there are no really exciting events, is full of wonderful characters. It begins and ends with Barnaby telling us the he is 'a man you can trust'. In between we watch Barnaby as he tries to find his 'angel'. He is the black sheep of the family, a family that has its own charitable foundation where his father and brother sit in lofty offices. But rather than join the 'family firm' Barnaby works for Rent-A-Back and spends his days visiting clients who are mainly elderly and who need everything from shopping, to putting Christmas trees up, to moving furniture. These clients often see no-one apart from Barnaby and so while his family might run a charitable foundation, he is actually doing kind deeds everyday. In his youth, Barnaby went on a sort of criminal spree, but he has paid his dues, has turned a corner although his mother never lets him forget that he owes her money from when she had to pay for his 'crimes' - something she uses as a sort of way to manipulate. The family made their fortune after his great-grandfather saw an 'angel' who suggested a product that women needed. Subsequent generations have all seen an 'angel' who has guided them and so Barnaby is looking for his and he thinks he's found her at the railway station when he was on his monthly visit to his daughter - he is divorced. What follows is Barnaby discovering the true meaning of angel. A slow burn but a lovely novel and Barnaby's kindness when he is visiting these elderly clients is wonderful. He observes them and has ideas about how society and families treat the elderly. And as for the title - well, I think that just as one of his clients is making her own quilt of the planet, so Barnaby in all of his dealings with family, friends, clients, is creating a patchwork of his own life where he is firmly in the centre. My idea - disagree if you wish.