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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
I saw the movie years ago and was completely unimpressed. Now that I've read the book, I understand why they tried. Tyler's book is complex and rich. I'm looking forward to reading it again with symbolism in mind. Everything that happens seems imbued with meaning, both literal and figurative. Watching the character change and grow is also wonderful. There is hope for us all.
I gave up on this book, then suddenly wanted to know how it ended very badly, so re-borrowed it from the library, listened through the final five hours, and was a bit let down by it all. A great opening, as usual, but at a certain point it devolves into dog training and the same sorts of unwilling travel sequences and the whole bit with the wife at the end was crazy. Like, what was bro thinking?
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
50 Book Reading Challenge 2015: A book that came out the year you were born
This book was strange. I hated it at first but then it slowly became unputdownable as I kept reading it. It was really challenging to find a book that I wanted to read (that was not 1000 pages) that came out in 1985, but I'm glad I found this one. I love the idea that we are "accidental tourists" in life. This book is definitely worth checking out. The main characters stick with you long after you finish reading and the story makes you think about where risks may need to be taken in your own life.
This book was strange. I hated it at first but then it slowly became unputdownable as I kept reading it. It was really challenging to find a book that I wanted to read (that was not 1000 pages) that came out in 1985, but I'm glad I found this one. I love the idea that we are "accidental tourists" in life. This book is definitely worth checking out. The main characters stick with you long after you finish reading and the story makes you think about where risks may need to be taken in your own life.
emotional
reflective
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
The Accidental Tourist -Tyler excels at quiet, ordinary characters with more than a tinge of melancholy who often struggle to connect with those they love and the world around them. In this book that is Macon, the world’s most unlikely travel guide writer given how attached he is to home and routine, who is grieving the death of his son. I enjoyed his journey - missteps and all - but wish I’d read it in print rather than listening to the audio since I found the male narrator’s voicing of Muriel really grating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Grief
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence
lighthearted
medium-paced
Megan was so unlikeable as a character, I can't believe there are really people like that. It was strange that he could be do judgemental about everything but cannot judge or assess himself. That really bothered me
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I finally got around to reading this book which has been on my TBR stack forever. I wanted to see the movie first; otherwise I'd spend my time picking apart the movie instead of enjoying it. I loved Geena Davis as Muriel, but I digress. I like Anne Tyler's writing very much; she always does a fantastic job with her characters. Even when you're shaking your head wondering why someone would do something like that they're still very real and believable. The story was a good one as well, dealing with the loss of Macon's marriage and how he chose to handle it or rather not handle it. He runs away to his sister who is already putting her life on the back burner to care for his two brothers. Muriel the flighty dog trainer steps in to help him with his unmanageable dog, but ends up showing Macon how to live. Ultimately he has to make the choice between the new and the old, and this novel explores how he comes to the decision that is right for him.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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