I like Anne Tyler's work, but I don't generally like her endings. This book is the exception. (She must be improving after twenty-odd books!) A couple marries hastily at the outset of WWI and stays married for a long time, yet they never get any *better* at being married -- hence the title.

Gave to jdt at tonight's meeting.

Picked up this nice quality copy to share.

Thanks, countedx58!

What a blend of heart, sadness, misunderstanding, just-missing-the-mark in relationships, lifelong impacts (positive and negative) of family relationships - everyday life experienced over time.

Sending this book on to BC friend indygo88 - part of the "Hardcovers only" book relay.

Enjoy!

Thanks for yet another one, JDT!

Though I have several Anne Tyler books on my shelf, this is the first of hers that I've read thus far, so I can't compare it to others. It seems that Tyler has a large group of devoted fans who really appreciate her writing, after reading some Amazon reviews. While I wasn't blown away by this book, I appreciated Tyler's ability to keep the story interesting & the reader engrossed in a storyline that in itself might seem rather dull, but yet really hit the mark as far as what I think many marriages really are like. I had trouble liking Pauline, and then more toward the end, Michael was less likeable as well. But having said that, I also felt like I saw a lot of myself in Pauline, which makes me take a second look at the impression I may be giving others of myself. Sadly enough, I felt like I related fairly well to the story of Michael & Pauline's marriage, and that does indeed make me sad. While I enjoyed the fact that this book covered many years of a couple's marriage, the unwritten "gaps" between chapters unsettled me sometimes & made me want to know what really happened during those missing years. And I have to say I thought the last fifth or so of the book was disappointing. I felt like Tyler tried to wrap things up almost too quickly, although not necessarily tidily.

Sending off tomorrow to Bibliocrates (w/ another book), via a relay. Enjoy! :')

I caught this book in the mail several days ago via BookObsessed.com. Thank you very much for sending it to me indygo88!

This book is in storage.
Bookbox #11