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jstaton's review
4.0
I cried. I picked this book in audio so Ed in my book group could listen since he's just had a stroke and lost his eye sight. The book group decided we'd listen to0 so we'd all have his experience. I listened way into the night but cheated because I worked on a puzzle while I listened and almost finished a 1000 piece puzzle. Unfortunately, the library copy of the audio booked skipped and then just petered out on the last two chapters. So I went to bed. Cleaned the CD and squeaked 0ut the final chapters this morning and did shed some tears. Honestly, I do that often with a good book, or seeing an older women grocery shopping alone, graduations, and sappy commercials - but this was a good Anne Tyler book. I just spent 8 hours getting to know these characters and I liked them, I became emotionally attached and I feel different now. I know there is much more there - Anne Tyler does that, she says so much more in saying so little.
I think Ed would of grumbled about it - but maybe not. He could surprise me sometimes and enjoy a book that I thought he would figure trite or chicklit. He would of listened to it, though - I know that and he would of had something to say, I know that! I will miss him that I know too.
I think Ed would of grumbled about it - but maybe not. He could surprise me sometimes and enjoy a book that I thought he would figure trite or chicklit. He would of listened to it, though - I know that and he would of had something to say, I know that! I will miss him that I know too.
storeytale's review
4.0
Interesting story -telling of the familiar facets of family dynamics intersected with commentary on transracial adoption and immigration.
utahmomreads's review
4.0
I read this a couple of years ago and enjoyed it so I picked it for this month's book club read. It arrived in the mail on Tuesday and I took a break from "Truman" to read it again.
I enjoy Tyler's deep characters and sweet stories. She is a great writer and observer.
I enjoy Tyler's deep characters and sweet stories. She is a great writer and observer.
limeykiss's review
5.0
My only regret regarding Anne Tyler is that I didn't start reading her 10 years ago when my Mom first recommended her! The way she writes really involves the reader in the story.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
I finished reading "Digging to America" on the T last night and the ending *almost* made me well up a little bit. If I had actually cried a little bit I wouldn't have looked any stranger than the guy next to me who was talking to himself...but I was able to control myself.
I enjoyed the book more than the other 2 Anne Tyler books that I've read (Amateur Marriage and Back When We Were Grownups). This book was similar to those in that Tyler's focus is on the relationships between family members--- and in this book the relationships between 2 families with nothing in common other than they both received adopted daughters from Korea on the same day. As in the other 2 Tyler books I've read the story was much more character driven than plot driven.
I enjoyed the book more than the other 2 Anne Tyler books that I've read (Amateur Marriage and Back When We Were Grownups). This book was similar to those in that Tyler's focus is on the relationships between family members--- and in this book the relationships between 2 families with nothing in common other than they both received adopted daughters from Korea on the same day. As in the other 2 Tyler books I've read the story was much more character driven than plot driven.
tabbiecat's review
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
4.5
mirgon03's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
Lovely
book_concierge's review
4.0
Digital audiobook narrated by Blair Brown
A story of the immigrant experience and two families united by the decision to adopt. The novel opens at the airport where the Donaldsons and the Yazdans wait for the daughters they’ve adopted from Korea to arrive. Bitsy and Brad Donaldson, their parents, siblings, nieces and nephews are all there, loud, boisterous, excited to welcome the new addition to their family – Jin-Ho. They virtually take over the gate area. Lost at the back of the crowd wait Maryam, her son, Sami, and his American-Iranian wife, Ziba. Maryam Yazdan had come to America as a young bride and was widowed before she was forty. She retains the reserved, formal demeanor of her Iranian upbringing. Though they don’t express it outwardly, the Yazdans are just as excited to welcome Sooki, whom they will call Susan, to their family.
Tyler writes so well about family dynamics, about all the little events in our lives that both form and show who we are. One sentence perfectly sums it up: “Like most life-altering moments, it was disappointingly lacking in drama.” Over the course of the novel the reader will witness many of these little moments, will watch as two families come together based on a chance meeting, will learn how they differ and how they are the same.
The book also explores what it means to be “American.” Maryam, having lived two thirds of her life in the United States, carrying an American passport, still feels like a foreigner. Ziba, having come to America as a teenager, is fully assimilated, though she still speaks with a slight accent. Bitsy could never be mistaken for anything but an American; friendly and outgoing, offering her opinion on everything without a thought to how it might be received, and yet desperate to infuse her children’s upbringing with some of their native cultures (even when the kids want nothing more than to fit in with their peers, and not wear those “ridiculous outfits”).
As I got to know these characters, I grew to love them. And I wanted to give them all a big hug at the end.
Blair Brown does a fine job narrating the audiobook. She’s a talented actress and breathes life into all these characters. I particularly liked the way she interpreted Maryam and Bitsy, two women who are virtually polar opposites.
A story of the immigrant experience and two families united by the decision to adopt. The novel opens at the airport where the Donaldsons and the Yazdans wait for the daughters they’ve adopted from Korea to arrive. Bitsy and Brad Donaldson, their parents, siblings, nieces and nephews are all there, loud, boisterous, excited to welcome the new addition to their family – Jin-Ho. They virtually take over the gate area. Lost at the back of the crowd wait Maryam, her son, Sami, and his American-Iranian wife, Ziba. Maryam Yazdan had come to America as a young bride and was widowed before she was forty. She retains the reserved, formal demeanor of her Iranian upbringing. Though they don’t express it outwardly, the Yazdans are just as excited to welcome Sooki, whom they will call Susan, to their family.
Tyler writes so well about family dynamics, about all the little events in our lives that both form and show who we are. One sentence perfectly sums it up: “Like most life-altering moments, it was disappointingly lacking in drama.” Over the course of the novel the reader will witness many of these little moments, will watch as two families come together based on a chance meeting, will learn how they differ and how they are the same.
The book also explores what it means to be “American.” Maryam, having lived two thirds of her life in the United States, carrying an American passport, still feels like a foreigner. Ziba, having come to America as a teenager, is fully assimilated, though she still speaks with a slight accent. Bitsy could never be mistaken for anything but an American; friendly and outgoing, offering her opinion on everything without a thought to how it might be received, and yet desperate to infuse her children’s upbringing with some of their native cultures (even when the kids want nothing more than to fit in with their peers, and not wear those “ridiculous outfits”).
As I got to know these characters, I grew to love them. And I wanted to give them all a big hug at the end.
Blair Brown does a fine job narrating the audiobook. She’s a talented actress and breathes life into all these characters. I particularly liked the way she interpreted Maryam and Bitsy, two women who are virtually polar opposites.
tmathews0330's review
3.0
I liked the honesty about what it means to combine families, whether by marriage or friendship. I find myself frustrated by the fact that I liked the minor characters better than the major ones and wanted met from their point of view. And in the end, it might have been a little too real life depressing for me right now...
liz74's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0