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Summary: Barnaby is a "picture" of what compassion truly is.
Review: The tears came often as I read this book because I have parents who remind me of the old people who Barnaby befriends in his job at Rent-a-Back. The book made me identify even more with my parents, especially in the way Tyler describes their daily lives and the "things" that mean so much to them but that will be left when they're gone.
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Summary: Wonderfully told story
Review: As with all of Ms. Tyler's recent efforts, I thought this book was superb and would recommend it to anyone. However, for those who have actually finished the book (or for the author), I had a question about the ending: Is the reader to assume from the ending that that Barnaby has decided to stop seeing Sophia as a result of her suspicions as to whether or not he had stolen the money? For example, the past tense of the note (you "never did realize") and its seeming finality would seem to indicate that this was so. Does this mean he has instead decided that Martine was truly the woman for him (a hint to this effect is also on the last page)? If however is has decided to forego Sophia, then why would he continue seeing her at all once it became apparent to him what she had done and why? Or, am I reading too much into all this and are we instead to assume that he winds up with Sophia?
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Summary: This book is as complex as it is easy.
Review: Once again, Tyler draws us into the lives of extrordinary personalities. We get to be apart of their every day lives and discover what makes them tick. Barnaby is made out to be the "bad boy" of this family...but I find him to be the only saving grace. His compassion and kindness toward the elderly...his yearning to better himself are truly heroic...this is a lovely story about those among us who deserve a second look.
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Summary: Anne Tyler defines old age better than anyone.
Review: If you want to know about the aged & the effects of aging, read this book. Anne Tyler explores it as no one else can do. Her main characters are as quirky & lovable as ever, but the elderly characters are drawn from real life. Tyler displays a real gift for revealing both the strength & weaknesses of senior citizens.
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Summary: Simple yet satisfying
Review: Normal -- yes, normal for Tyler. Usually her novels include something bizarre happening. This one does not. She makes a good stab at writing a male protagonist -- almost as good as Carol Shields' "Larry's Party." I also like Tyler's simple writing style, which I think she is getting better at. Far fewer writing "techniques" than, say McCarthy or Shields, but nonetheless engaging. It's a good, simple story told well.
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Summary: A lone dissenter!
Review: I didn't really get drawn into this Anne Tyler book like I did "The Accidental Tourist" or "Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant." The charactes, while a bit quirky, didn't strike me as strange enough to people a Tyler novel. I liked the story, but I wasn't intrigued by the characters. None of them were true misfits. They seemed just a bit unusual, and that's not enough to hold my attention. Opal seemed the most complex character...and I wish the author had given Barnaby more time with her. I'll read Tyler again, but I won't purchase the next one. She's done more thorough work.
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Summary: Barnaby is No Looser!
Review: I've read several reviews of Anne Tyler's latest masterpiece, and they refer to Barnaby as a "looser". I beg to differ, and I certainly don't think that Ms. Tyler thinks of him as such! Barnaby has made some mistakes, sure. But he is no more of a looser than his ineffectual father, his preening brother, his mean-spirited mother, and his uncompassionate ex-wife. Anne Tyler is, in my opinion, the greatest American writer of our time. Read this book; read all her books. Read them several times.
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Summary: Another Great Anne Tyler Novel!
Review: I just finished "A Patchwork Planet" last night and truly loved it. Wonderful characters, wonderful detail, all carefully, lovingly conveyed. For me, a close second-favorite after only "Accidental Tourist." Read it - you'll love it.
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Summary: Tyler gives dignity to characters who live on the fringe.
Review: This is just another of Anne Tyler's wonderful character examinations. Like previous characters, such as Macon Leary from The Accidental Tourist or Ezra from Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Tyler has created yet another character who will forever live in our memory. Barnaby must face life according to the expectations of his past as a theif and loser. His struggle to find dignity and trust in an unforgiving world allows him to become a role-model for others without even realizing it. While all of the characters around him place judgment upon him, he desperately seeks redemption and their trust. By the end of the novel, we come to realize that our planet is populated by a patchwork of people who bump and stumble throughout life seeking the same trust and redemption that Barnaby is seeking.
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Summary: Once Again a Delightful Melange of Eccentric Tyler Character
Review: Barnaby Gaitlin is the lovable loser hero of Anne Tyler's new novel. Son of a wealthy Baltimore family, Barnaby's life is forever marked by his adolescent prank of breaking into neighbor's houses just to read their mail and look through their photo albums. Barnaby is an embarrassment to his parents, his ex-wife, even his little girl. But Barnaby's heart is in the right place, just not where others think it should be. He spends his days working for Rent-a-Back, helping it's elderly clients get their mundane chores done and his nights sleeping in a converted basement rec room apartment. When Barnaby is accused of stealing money from one of Rent-a-Backs clients, we learn about our Patchwork Planet, and how it's likely to fall to pieces at any moment. And we learn about love. A new Tyler novel is always a must read.
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