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Summary: Touching, lucid, compassionate, Tyler at her best.
Review: What a pleasure it is when one discovers that Anne Tyler has published a new novel. the ancipation of reading it is a joy in itself but a short-lived one for anyone, like myself, who is a keen admirer of all Tyler's work, as one rushes to the phone or onto the Internet (or even out to the bookshop!) to purchase what you've been waiting for since 1995 (Ladder of Years). There's no respite until you've reached the last page and any other more mundane obligations will just have to wait. There's no stopping half way through, the narrative just drives you on, page after page until the final words reveal the structural symmetry of this beautiful novel and leave you emotionally exhausted. But, of course, if you have already enjoyedTyler's other novels, all this must seem obvious to you. If you haven't yet read the opening words of A Patchwork Planet, rest assured, the miracle is about to recommence, perhaps more poignant than ever. The passing of time, old age, death, how to avoid getting trapped in an identity imposed on one from outside, these are themes developed in A Patchwork Planet through the story of 30-year-old Barnaby, perhaps one of Tyler's most lucid heroes, viewing with clarity and compassion the sad but brave old people for whom he works as a Rent-A-Back employee. Lucid, yes, concerning everything end everyone except himself: he just can't see himself as his elderly clients see him "a man to be trusted." It will take a woman - but which one? - to help him regain confidence in himself and discover he, like all of us, should not accept the labels other people want to put on him but just be himself. (I'd be pleased to correspond with any other Tyler readers to discuss her work.)
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Summary: Anne Tyler at her best.
Review: When I saw this book on the book shelf, I did not hesitate to buy it. I have read all of Anne Tyler's books and have enjoyed most of them. She gets better with each book written. Her characters are everyday people you just might meet in the street or already know. The ending might be thought of as being abrupt, but it leaves you thinking just what may have happened. I highly recommed this book to anyone who needs a good summertime read.
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Summary: A beautifully crafted character study from start to finish.
Review: I started A Patchwork Planet with some trepidation. I love Anne Tyler's characters and usually like her stories, but have felt that some of her books (for instance, Ladder of Years) have had disappointing, up-in-the-air endings--things just sort of trickle to a stop. But I thought A Patchwork Planet was just about perfect. The book is full of wonderful turns of phrase, beautifully drawn, absolutely believable characters, truly touching (but never sentimental) moments and an ending that is satisfying but not pat or contrived. I plan to recommend this book to everyone I know who loves good fiction.
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Summary: Anne Tyler is superb once again!
Review: Once again, Ms. Tyler is brilliant! First rate novel by a master writer. What more can I say--don't hesitate to read this one--a true treasure.
Rating: 
Summary: first 200 pages were a 10, last 100 were a 3.
Review: I think that averages out to about a six or so. Anne Tyler is a great novelist Her characters are fully developed and her writing style is direct and powerful. But somehow in the last 100 pages of this book, I think she lost interest. Nothing happens, but more importantly, the conflicts that typify a Tyler novel simply disappear. Perhaps she is bored with her Roland Park characters.
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Summary: Tyler Displays Consistent Excellence
Review: Here is a beautiful story that gets better and better as it unfolds. The main character DOES end up having redeeming qualities; our faith in him is justified. Anne Tyler is one of the best writers of our generation.
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Summary: A True Hero
Review: Tyler does it again with her deceptively simple, straightforward prose that says more than the most flowery author. Barnaby is another great Tyler creation. His natural sense of goodness won't allow him to forgive himself for the missteps of his youth, and his insensitive, insecure mother continually rubs salt in the wound.When Barnaby meets his "angel" Sophia, his family hopes he is finally 'settling down'. What they fail to realize is that Barnaby is the most settled of them all, a trustworthy guy who works at un underpaid job that truly helps people. But he has few material things and no appreciation for their values. They can't see past his threadbare clothes, basement apartment, and lack of ambition. They can't forgive him or appreciate him, and he therefore can't appreciate or forgive himself. As the story progresses Barnaby takes a journey of self-awareness and forgiveness. I was sorry to leave these characters. Another fine turn for Anne Tyler.
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Summary: The ordinary become extraordinary
Review: Once again, Anne Tyler has taken us into the hearts and homes of the most ordinary people and makes them extraordinary and heroic in their simple daily existence. Through her characters, she walks us through the lives of people we see on the streets and in grocery stores every day. Ms. Tyler takes us on a quiet, respectful tour of their angst, their loneliness and their private, quiet heartaches. In the end, each character is given their own state of grace,though it may be shakey and unpredictable, each of her remarkably flawed humans are left to us as angels on earth.
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Summary: A great model of the infinite search for love and approval.
Review: Barnaby never learned about love at home and keeps hoping he will somehow stumble into other's acceptance amongst those who stumble into his "planet" which is the real world. Will he never learn that he must first accept himself, a question which plaques the reader throughout? This is the story of how Barnaby learns the most important lesson of all. Anne Tyler really "gets it".
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Summary: A Tyler book you can "trust" to be entertaining
Review: I have read and enjoyed (almost) all of Anne Tyler's books and this one is no exception. Her characters are invariably ordinary, everyday and therefore real people, who come to life as unique individuals. I always feel as if I know them or have met them in my life. A Patchwork Planet comes full circle (pun intended); the end cleverly tied to the beginning. I trust Barnaby, and I trust that Anne Tyler fans will be enthralled with yet another of her books full of very human characters and their struggles with life and love.
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