Cassie H. (Irishcoda) reviewed on + 88 more book reviews
When I saw the book at the library sale I bought it. Anne Tyler has a reputation as a good writer anyway and I was sure I would enjoy it. There were some sentimental reasons as well -- I lived in Baltimore a good 20 years or so of my life and that is where the book is set.
It's an extraordinary story of how profoundly people's lives can change from one little selfish act. Ian Bedloe is a 17 year old teenager feeling much put upon by his sister-in-law and children. Lucy just seemed to come out of nowhere to marry Ian's brother. She brought with her 2 children from a previous marriage and has a 3rd child "prematurely". Because Lucy is late coming home to relieve babysitter Ian, he misses his date with his girlfriend. Ian's brother arrives home next and Ian angrily accuses Lucy of infidelity. The brother is involved in a tragic accident minutes later. It doesn't end there either. How do you cope with a guilty conscience? How do you deal with kids no one seems to want? Is there ever forgiveness for some sins?
The book went on about 50 pages too long but otherwise was totally engrossing and compelling. Once the youngest child got to be about 11, events began skipping forward a little too quickly and I began to lose "touch" with what the characters were going through. I was happy with the ending--it just could have come sooner.
I have this book cross listed with Book Crossing
It's an extraordinary story of how profoundly people's lives can change from one little selfish act. Ian Bedloe is a 17 year old teenager feeling much put upon by his sister-in-law and children. Lucy just seemed to come out of nowhere to marry Ian's brother. She brought with her 2 children from a previous marriage and has a 3rd child "prematurely". Because Lucy is late coming home to relieve babysitter Ian, he misses his date with his girlfriend. Ian's brother arrives home next and Ian angrily accuses Lucy of infidelity. The brother is involved in a tragic accident minutes later. It doesn't end there either. How do you cope with a guilty conscience? How do you deal with kids no one seems to want? Is there ever forgiveness for some sins?
The book went on about 50 pages too long but otherwise was totally engrossing and compelling. Once the youngest child got to be about 11, events began skipping forward a little too quickly and I began to lose "touch" with what the characters were going through. I was happy with the ending--it just could have come sooner.
I have this book cross listed with Book Crossing
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