Play Book Tag discussion

I like it when an author invents ordinary people and describes them to illustrate universal human feelings; they can be so easy to relate to. Ann Tyler is famous for her micro-characterizations that can accomplish this. But I’m finding nowadays that I usually need an interesting plot to put these characters into. This particular book was so filled with descriptions of ordinariness that it dragged me down. Truly I struggled to finish. The story starts when the protagonist is about 11 years old, at home with her overwrought mother, mousy father and hapless younger sister. The next chapter is 10 years later and the following jumps another 20 years. We’re catapulted into the life of a middle-aged woman — and a duller one is hard to imagine. We follow her through two nondescript marriages and an unlikely role as a caretaker. I think the universal theme here is about a woman, wife, and mother being unappreciated, but I’m not sure. The only drama I experienced was my shock that, having plodded dutifully onward, I found I was only 35% of the way through the book. In fairness, I should say that I have enjoyed other Ann Tyler books and I know she’s very highly thought of. My reaction to her books is highly variable and this was my least favorite. At the 40% mark I started skimming to get to the end.

I enjoyed the book more than you, but agree that this isn't on par with Ann Tyler's earlier writing. For me, I disliked the choppiness of the story. While linear, the book follows Willa at different points in her life - each divided by at least 20 years. I was rattled each time the story ended abruptly and jumped years ahead.

I see that we gravitate towards similar books. I hope your next read is better.

Holly R W wrote: "I enjoyed the book more than you, but agree that this isn't on par with Ann Tyler's earlier writing. For me, I disliked the choppiness of the story. While linear, the book follows Willa at differen..."

Thank you. I hope so too! I seem to have had a string of not-so-good ones, which is a pity because I know there are tons of good ones out there. Meanwhile (in my better moments) I'm trying to use those I don't like as a chance to understand what makes a book "lovable" — at least to me. "Choppiness" is a good way to describe Clock Dance.