Anne Tyler has been one of my favorite authors for a long time. I was excited to find this one at the used book store because I hadn't read it yet.

It was an intriguing story. I kept thinking I didn't think their relationship was so terrible. There was alot to consider. How the parents' relationship affects the children, the reasons why couples get together, questions of timing in relationships, long term consequences of unwise choices... The themes can definitely stimulate some interesting discussions. I had mixed feelings about the ending and kept thinking their relationship wasn't all THAT bad. I wondered what that said about me as half of a married couple.

Thanks for your interest in my bookray. I think Anne Tyler is the best!

Here is the bookray order. But please check back in the event that there could be some revisions later on!

The book left for its visit with Doceo33 on 3/29/06!

Doceo33 complete
gothamgal complete
DoveiLibri complete
abrokenstarr complete

Happy reading everyone!

Posted 3/29/06 to Doceo33!

Happy reading!

It just arrived in the mail. I will start reading it tonight!

Just finished the book. It's an enjoyable read and held my interest. It has all the hallmarks of an Anne Tyler book: family, relationships, off-beat characters, etc.

I agree with heartsong2 that the marriage doesn't seem that bad. In fact, Michael and Pauline remind me, in some ways, of my own parents who were from the same generation. I was intrigued by Lindy and wanted to know more about her perspective on the family...perhaps Tyler could write another book filling in the gaps in her life story?

The story seems to be about time. Each chapter takes a leap forward in time, and I always found it interesting to revisit the Anton family at another point in the future. Tyler is skilled at portraying the decades as they pass, and all the personalities of each family member as they grow into adults. Tyler makes a typical family seem not so typical, and raises questions about us all.

My favorite Anne Tyler novel is still "The Accidental Tourist," but I enjoyed this one and think it ranks among Tyler's best.

Posting this book to gothamgal on 04/18/06.

Rec'd in the mail today as part of a bookring.

Rec'd in the mail today! I'm in the middle of 2 bookrings right now, will read as soon as possible and mail it.

NOW ... DO NOT BE SILLY! I can send the book along to Abrokenstarr myself! As I PMed you, even though I would PREFER to mail US or Canada, I am ABLE to send anywhere if necessary! I can send it to the UK, no problem!!!!!

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Added May 22, 2006: Started reading this today! I'm already enjoying it! After all, it IS by Anne Tyler, isn't it? It will be on its way to the next person in the book ring before you know it!

<---Mama i Libri and Daddy i Libri a VERY long time ago!

This book is being sent to UK Book Crosser ABrokenStarr today via surface mail.

It was a wonderful novel! As other Book Crossers have stated, it seems to be the state of MOST marriages ... Aren't *ALL* marriages amateur marriages, after all? I mean, *WHO* is the *ONE* couple that got it *ALL* right? I had my husband smirking and chuckling as I pointed to paragraphs and passed the book across the table to him. Sometimes, it seemed as if Ms. Tyler was reading his mind, or mine! Actually, it was kind of eerie. Hoping our thirtieth wedding anniversary doesn't hold the same surprise! No further spoilers from me!

Happy traveling, little book! Happy reading, ABrokenStarr!

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Arrived on Saturday.

Thanks!

Reserved for VBB

A great book, I agree, I saw far too much of my relationship in the book.

The last couple of chapters lost me a little bit. The key character to the book wasn't in it, and that was confusing.

Waiting to be taken from the VBB.

Posted to Candy-is-dandy, who chose it from the VBB.

Arrived safely, thankyou abrokenstarr. Selected from a virtual book box. Now to see how amateur my marriage is!!