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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very slow and disjointed. Also, no real plot. Basically, this “novel” is a collection of short stories about a family.
I don't doubt that Anne Tyler's a good writer and this is a masterclass in characterisation, but there is not much of a plot here and now that I've finished it I can't really say what the point of this story is. It's a bit like being in a train that seems to have travelled cross country only to find that it was an optical illusion or something and you were sitting in the same spot all along. I kept wanting to get some great revelation with regards to Denny, but nothing really happens. It's an atmospheric book, I'd say, and the characters are interesting, but that's about it.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As someone already mentioned, the story unwinds slowly and there is not much of a climax. Instead, I felt like I was unwrapping a parcel, peeling off layers and seeing what was hidden underneath. At first the Whitshanks seemed to be just an ordinary family, dealing with some problems but mostly happy and loving, but with time things were revealed which contradicted this notion. Or maybe not exactly contradicted it but showed that some issues are hidden very deeply so that you may not always be aware of them, even though they affect your life. Also, that things may look different on the surface and that family secrets do not have to involve murder or some other crime to be shameful and painful.
emotional
funny
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book.
This is what I love about Anne Tyler: everything seems so real. Her characters are real people, maybe your neighbor or someone you work with. I sometimes forget I'm reading fiction and feel as though I'm reading someone's journal. I see the setting. I know this house. I've been there. Without resorting to writing in the vernacular, she gives voice to her characters. The conversations are real, not stilted.
Spoilers:
1. I liked Linnie better before I heard the story of her youth. On the other hand, that made me understand Junior better.
2. I have to say I felt a little sad at the end of this book. It felt bleak as Denny was heading into Hurricane Sandy.
Spoilers:
1. I liked Linnie better before I heard the story of her youth. On the other hand, that made me understand Junior better.
2. I have to say I felt a little sad at the end of this book. It felt bleak as Denny was heading into Hurricane Sandy.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced