Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant

by Anne Tyler | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0099916401 Global Overview for this book
Registered by sunflowergirl of Carlisle, Cumbria United Kingdom on 4/7/2005
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3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by sunflowergirl from Carlisle, Cumbria United Kingdom on Thursday, April 7, 2005
Another charity shop find! I love Anne Tyler's books so it made my day to spot this on the shelf. Can't wait to read it.

Synopsis:

Anne Tyler is known for her ability to explore and make real the ways in which "unexceptional" people create families out of what might be seen as a hopeless muddle of failed or failing relationships. The Tull family - frazzled and sometimes abusive mother Pearl, missing father Beck, jealous and manipulative son Cody, troubled but finally contented daughter Jenny, and loving, placid baby Ezra - resembles families most of us know. We first witness Pearl's memories as she wanders back through her life while lying on her deathbed; next, Cody takes over, and by the end of the book we have experienced each family member's perspective. Out of their often differing stories a picture emerges of Pearl: of how her travelling salesman husband left her with three children to care for, how she tried to provide both emotional and financial support, and how she failed (more or less, depending upon the perspective) to give them a loving and secure home. Her children create families for themselves with varying degrees of success - Cody with his brother's girlfriend, Jenny with a second husband and built-in family, Ezra with his restaurant - but never seem able to make it through a single dinner together without conflict. Lovable in the complicated way only family members are, they speak to us in the raucous chorus of guests at a dinner party, clamoring for our attention and inviting us to join in.

Journal Entry 2 by sunflowergirl at York District Hospital in York, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, July 24, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (7/25/2008 UTC) at York District Hospital in York, North Yorkshire United Kingdom

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

This book will be released tomorrow morning at York District Hospital. The book will either be left on the table in the reception area of the Oncology Unit or at the charity fund-raising stall in the main reception.

Journal Entry 3 by JulieB154 from York, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 12, 2009
I really like Anne Tyler as an author. She has a wonderful grasp of characterisation and I love her feel for language and shaping of personality. She sets context with real aplomb. So I was glad to come across this book by pure chance and I read it rapidly as I wanted to know the end.I have to say I was disappointed by the ending. I recognise the value of retribution in a family context but I do feel personally that we all have a certain responsibility and that personal happiness must sometimes be set aside-or did I miss something?? What do I know.
I discovered this book at York District Hospital on a charity book stall. I shall release it in York by leaving it in a nice place(a coffee shop for example)

Journal Entry 4 by wingAnonymousFinderwing on Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Great because it was Anne Tyler and I love her prose and feel for character.
Not so good because I found the ending sat badly for me. I t seemed to excuse bad behaviour in parents-and that really irritates me in life and in literature. But what do I know....

CAUGHT IN YORK NORTH YORKSHIRE ENGLAND UNITED KINGDOM

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