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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
I read The Accidental Tourist when I was in my late teens and in a not-so great relationship. I had sworn not repeat a family pattern, but did just that. It was difficult trying to figure out what made a healthy relationship because the real-life ones around me were (to say the least) lacking, so I couldn’t find the answers there. Along with therapy, it’s not an exaggeration to say that the book changed my life.
There was a line that always stayed with me. Macon says something like, "It's not enough to love someone. It's who you are when you're with them."
Last year, I read it again and loved it just as much.
There was a line that always stayed with me. Macon says something like, "It's not enough to love someone. It's who you are when you're with them."
Last year, I read it again and loved it just as much.
My first exposure to Anne Tyler, she who triumphs despite all those adverbs. ;) Muriel (with all her eccentricities) is unforgettable.
Loved the movie. One day I'll get around to reading the book.
Read and enjoyed it. Passed it on in a Little Library.
Read and enjoyed it. Passed it on in a Little Library.
I read this because I am working with a writing book in which the author uses Tyler's novel as an example.
I learned two things from The Accidental Tourist:
1) Anne Tyler is a master writer. She can draw character and setting in a paragraph; her dialogue delineates personality beautifully.
2) I don't particularly like the stories she tells. They seem a little precious. I knew that once upon a time; I read one book of Tyler's years ago and never went back for more. For instance (spoiler alert), this book starts out telling a story of the effect of a child's murder on a long marriage, but then
I learned two things from The Accidental Tourist:
1) Anne Tyler is a master writer. She can draw character and setting in a paragraph; her dialogue delineates personality beautifully.
2) I don't particularly like the stories she tells. They seem a little precious. I knew that once upon a time; I read one book of Tyler's years ago and never went back for more. For instance (spoiler alert), this book starts out telling a story of the effect of a child's murder on a long marriage, but then
Spoiler
dissolves into a love story between an uptight, odd child-man and a needy young woman who is by turns cloying and shrieking. The end section is full of events that make little sense and choices that make even less sense. And I lost all sympathy I had gained for the main character. I'm pretty sure that wasn't Tyler's intention.
It took me quite a while to get into this book - I was hating the main character - and then he broke his arm, and then I liked the book after that.
This book took a long time for me to read. It just didn’t capture me the way that I needed. I did enjoy it, it was well written.
At times intricately multi-layered. At times incomprehensible.
Spoiler:
A widowed, depressed, OCD guy gets a last stirring to live life differently, I guess that’s what that was.
Spoiler:
A widowed, depressed, OCD guy gets a last stirring to live life differently, I guess that’s what that was.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's about time I read one of Tyler's work. I rather love Macon. And, now I'm a Tyler fan.