Rating: 
Summary: Not her best
Review: I usually love Anne Tyler's books, but could not get into this one. Few of the characters are well developed. The daughters all coalesce into a single being who is very selfcentered and completely unsympathetic. The main character is more sympathetic, but not much better developed. The book is a mish-mash of characters and situations that are reminiscent of other Anne Tyler books. It feels like she is copying herself, and doing a bad job.
Rating: 
Summary: A Surprisingly Likeable Novel
Review: I enjoyed Back When We Were Grownups much more than I expected I would. I have never been a huge fan of Anne Tyler, but I've always felt almost obligated to read her novels, they are almost ubiquitous. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this novel. There were some minor things that bothered me, which I will discuss later, but all in all, this novel is an enjoyable and quick read, which I found rather thought-provoking. Because of that thought-provoking nature of the novel, I believe it would make an excellent book club selection; there really is a lot to chew on and discuss in this novel. Rebecca, the 53 year old protagonist, wonders how she ended up as she did after a particularly bad day with her extended family. Her thoughts send her in pursuit of the life that she could have had, if she had not married as she did when she was 20. She married a divorced man, 13 years her senior, with three young daughters and a family business to run. He died several years later and she essentially took over his life, raising his daughters (and one of her own), looking after his elderly uncle, and running the family business, which is hosting parties and events. 33 years later, she wonders, did she make the right choice, was this where she was "supposed" to be? The novel answers that question in a very satisfying, non-simplistic, non-formulaic manner. The novel is honest, and based in reality which I found refreshing and enjoyable. Rebecca is a likeable protagonist, yet not perfect. There were times in the novel when I just wanted to shake her, but most of the time she's a level headed, mature woman. The only thing about the novel that I take issue with are the characters of the four daughters. They were so annoying selfish, that I felt it was a little over the top. But other than that minor flaw, a very well done, enjoyable novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Back When We Were Grownups
Review: How many addle-brained characters can you fit in one novel? How many silly nick-names can a reader be expected to endure? Does anyone know whatever happened to the real Anne Tyler? She used to be one of my favorite authors (Breathing Lessons, Lonesome Restaurant) but I guess I grew up. The book is supposed to be about a middle-aged woman (widow) who suddenly contacts her former boyfriend whom she ditched years ago. It has all sorts of possibilities but instead of exploring any of them dwells endlessly on details of her large self-centered, rude, ungrateful extended family which is made up of stepchildren and their spouses and children (I gave up trying to keep track of them), a grandfather, mother, aunt, neighbors... and she is a door mat for all of them, enduring their snide remarks and frequent demands. So what do we learn from all of this? I'm not sure and I'm not sure why I bothered to finish the book.
Rating:
Summary: Beloved Baltimore
Review: To fully appreciate the novels of Anne Tyler, one has to know Baltimore. To the uninitiated, her characters are eccentric beyond belief. Not if you have ever lived in Baltimore. What is wonderful about her novels is that her characters transcend their setting and gather her admirers all over the literary world. But she is to Baltimore what William Kennedy is to Albany (although in a more optimistic frame of mind) My favorite novel of hers is Dinner At The Homesick Restaurant, where she captures perfectly the Baltimore persona. Eccentricity is what Baltimore is about, and in this novel (Back When We Were Grownups) as well as almost all of her other works, she captures it perfectly. The emotions the characters experience are universal, but there is a twist to Tyler's works that makes the old Baltimorean smile in recognition. Hats off to Anne Tyler!
Rating: 
Summary: Not A Memorable Tyler Novel
Review: The main problem I had, with this book, is that three days after I read it, I could not remember what exactly it had been about. I actually picked it up and couldn't remember if I finished reading it or not.(but I had) Rebecca had a pretty good life and seemed to be too much of a whiner. Poppy was my favorite character and I actually liked the old boyfriend. I have always loved Anne Tyler's characters and their quirks. She writes them so well, but I grew tired of Rebecca. I felt like she wanted to change her life for all the wrong reasons. This won't keep me from being an Anne Tyler fan. It just didn't seem to be one of her best.
Rating:
Summary: Why in the world does she stay?
Review: I finished the book, only because of its initial promise. Also, as a 'woman of a certain age' I was interested in the idea of reclaiming one's lost sense of self. But alas, the characters who surround Beck are miserable, silly, pathetic, self-absorbed parasites. Beck should flee the Open Arms, and never look back. I kept waiting for some sort of flash of insight, but Beck just plods along, putting up with rude and borish family and friends. The dialogue is so stilted, it aches. Also, the book just flat ran out of steam. I read the final pages twice, thinking I must have missed something. If you are a major fan of Ms. Tyler's -- wait for the paperback.
Rating:
Summary: I may be in the minority but
Review: I did not care for this book. It wasn't awful, it just wasn't very good. One minute I would like Beck, the next minute I wouldn't. I did not care for any of the characters except for Zeb, Poppy, and Barry's son. The girls were the most selfish people (and their names - NoNO, Patch, Jeep, Min Fee), and for Beck to put up with that made her spineless and not very likable in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: A Delight!
Review: A lovely book filled with thoughtful and insightful looks into the human heart and soul. Anne Tyler is one of the only writers to consistently make my heart ache. This book certainly is no exception. All of her characters and all of their various problems are a rare treat. I recognize myself and almost everyone I know in this novel. and I'd love to hire Open Arms to cater my next party!
Rating:
Summary: So-So
Review: I wasn't thrilled with this book. The story was okay, sort of slow but the ending just sort of left you hanging.
Rating:
Summary: Back when we were Anne Tyler fans
Review: This is how I picture it. Ms. Tyler is sitting at a diner in downtown Baltimore and she scribbles the opening line of her new novel, Back When We Were Grownups. She knows it's a great line, in fact, in may be one of the best opening sentences in recent memory. Nobody ever grows up to be what they thought they'd be. But then, oh then, she writes the rest of the book trying to capture the magic of the opening sentence. And it never quite explains anything. Sure there are quirky Tyler characters with equally quirky names like Poppy and NoNo. But they are not particularly interesting people and you can't ever figure out why Rebecca, the heroine, sticks around to cook, clean, babysit and entertain them. They certainly give nothing back to her. She's not quite a martyr but annoyingly close. She's not quite happy, not quite adventursome and anything would be better than looking up an old boyfriend who is a hopeless nerd. Sigh. If only there was a resolution that worked instead of self examination that leaves the reader and the poor heroine stuck in a boring book/life. Life doesn't have to be mundane chores if one chooses to see the magic in those chores. Ms. Tyler used to have characters that found something, solace, fun, challenge, within the daily grind. But this heroine only gets points for realizing life passed her by, instead of doing something about it. The only character I ever become remotely interested in was her dead husband Joe. He sounded kinda cool, someone I would like to hang out with. Not Rebecca though. After reading this book, I feel like learning to sky dive or take painting lessons or go on an Outward Bound adventure. ANYTHING is better than wringing my hands and lamenting my life. Rebecca Babe, get a haircut, lose some weight, take a risk, answer an Internet love ad, just do something. Don't let Ms. Tyler stick you in a Baltimore rowhouse waiting to babysit your next grandchild.
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