A death in the family and only Joan kept up the rhythms of life, waiting for the others to return from their private places of grief. They would all return, but one: James, her future, held hostage by a survivor jealous of the dead.
The hallmark of Anne Tyler's novels is that she takes on the minutiae of everyday life. When it works well, it's an amazing voyage into the hidden hearts of ordinary people. When it doesn't work well, it's boring as heck. This one doesn't work well. The characters are mostly reacting -- or not -- to the accidental death of a neighborhood child, but mostly they just move around on the stage having inconsequential conversations, ending up right back where they started.
Anne Tyler's great story that reads like Faulkner but resonates like only Tyler can.
In Anne Tyler's second novel you can see the makings of the great author she will become. The characters are interesting and a little off center, the story a little sad and also hopeful. As the quote on the back says, 'To read Anne Tyler is to fall in love." I've been in love with her writing ever since I read the "Accidental Tourist" years ago.
This was one of Anne Tyler's first novels. There is an interesting interview with her at the end of the book. It's not one of her best, but her books are always good.
I am an awe of Anne Tyler she is such a phenomanal writer.
This story focuses on the Pikes and the loss of their 6 yr old daughter and how the rest of the family, including their 10 yr old son, is left to move on--or try to WOW
In the small town of Larksville, the Pike family is in the midst of terrible crisis. They are hopelessly out of step with the rhythms of daily life after the tragic, accidental death of six-year-old Janie Rose. Janie Rose's absence is keenly felt by everyone and her family will never be whole again.
Lou - Janie's mother - blames herself for her daughter's death, and so has retreated into her own private world of grief. She seldom speaks to those around her and is barely aware of her surroundings. Roy - Janie's father - has been forced to emerge from his many years of long, comfortable silence. Janie's ten-year-old brother, Simon, is suddenly without his baby sister or any proper understanding of why she's gone.
Those closest to this shattered family must learn to comfort them - as well as confront their own private shadows of hidden grief. If time cannot draw them out of the dark, and thus foster any expectation of creating a meaningful future, then love just may be their only hope...
In my opinion, this was a gripping story. The plot was thoroughly engrossing and I was completely captured from the first page. I wanted to see how each character would cope with their grief. I give this book an A!
As I may have said before, I think that Ms. Tyler is an excellent writer. Those books of hers that I've read, have been filled with characters that you can't help but care for, going through circumstances that are absolutely plausible. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
