Rating: 
Summary: Not satisfying
Review: Tyler writes melancholy angst and befuddlement better than anyone, and this novel is another example -- i.e. more of the same. Her novels become so similar that it seems as though the various characters could be supplanted in any of her novels, and no reader would be any the wiser.In any event, this novel finds Delia vaguely dissatisfied with her life, and she leaves her family to pursue a new life on her own. While the premise of the novel is exciting, the actual read is flat and lacks realism. It seemed implausible that she could leave her children for eighteen months without a word. When she finally finds herself coming full circle and returning home, it was absurd to me that she could simply step back into her old life. Finally, the ending left so many questions unanswered and so many loose ends that it was simply annoying. On the other hand, I was glad the book had ended... So, this isn't Tyler's best work, but it is truly hers. If you enjoy her novels, you will enjoy this one despite its boat load of shortcomings.
Rating: 
Summary: Plodding all the way...
Review: I am, I confess, only a third through this book and thinking I will put it down. Now remind me: why did this author win the Pulitzer? I've read five of her books, and liked Patchwork Planet best, but even that, sweet as it was...well, I do not think that Ann Tyler writes "beautifully." She writes ploddingly. Yes, her writing leads you on. You keep hoping the next sentences will actually lead to something important in the plot or character development. Ho-hum. They don't.
In reference to this book: what is the point of going from the archetype of MOM and WIFE to SECRETARY? Now, if I were writing this book I would have plunged Delia back into another life...made it more "Twilight Zone"-like. That would have added at least a soupcon of spice...as it is, "Ladder" is flat, unsalted, dietetic, in short, not tasty. All those who enjoy a taste-less book, raise your hands. Deafening silence.
Rating:
Summary: Pleased
Review: The book started off slow but because of the intense charateristics it kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. The magnification of each point and detail of the book helped me to understand what was going on and helped me to visualize the scene. Even though while reading I thought that the outcome would be different I was pleased with how she ended up back at home and settled for "this is how my family is and going to be". I thought her venture off would cause her to me more outgoing and she would become more out spoken and be able to let easch one of her family memebers know what she wanted but she didn't turn out like that, however, I felt she filled some voids that she had with her kids and husband while she was away in Bay Borough with her new friends. I am familiar with one reader who said," the book kept her interested even thought it dragged" which is what my review is someone about, and another reader who said she sympathized with Delia in her situations because she is a mother, sister, and wife. I am a mother to be, a sister (older sister), and a girlfriend in which in all those roles I seek attention.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: When beginning Ladder of Years I was expecting an exciting and interesting story, but that was not what I ended up with. I really liked the beginning of the book but then there was no action. It seemed to drag on with little storyline. I was expecting that Delia would do something exciting or adventerous, but she never really did. I was disappointed with how little her character actually did while she was away. I don't think she was a changed person after leaving. I can relate to her actions and feelings but I don't think she accomplished anything while away. It was to easy for her to fit back into the same role as before. I would have liked to see the story end differently, perhaps more action from Sam. However I really did like the many metaphors throughout the story. I am able to appreciate the story for that but I did not find it to have enough action and to much detail that dragged on for to long.
Rating: 
Summary: Ladder of Years
Review: I found the book Ladder of Years very interesting and sympathized with the main character Delia like so many of the other readers. I really related to Delia as a women being a mother, wife, and sister. Life can be very challenging and at the end of many days sometimes you can feel unappreciated. Anne used so many descriptive words that I really felt like I was in the book. I could picture the town she lived in, the beach, her family. When Nat described life as a ladder I could see Delia climbing up it her whole life until finally one day she got tired and fell. That is when she left. When Delia returned home she started to climb the ladder again and relized that her family had passed her, (now leaving home and living their own lives). In the end I feel that the book gave a good description of family. Families can be difficult however they always seem to pull together and move on.
Rating:
Summary: Somewhat disappointed
Review: In Ladder of Years, by Anne Tyler, the author brings up a very controversial issue regarding the woman's role and family. Delia, the main character in the book was somewhat disappointed with her boring life. She was married to a doctor and had 3 children. Her family really didn't seem to appreciate her at all and at times it seemed as if she was almost non-existant. As a woman I can relate to some of those feelings myself. I do not personally have a husband and children but through Tyler's intricate description of Delia and her family dynamics really made me sympathize with what she was going through. I have to admit that this book did start of boring and it took me a awhile to get into it. I must also add that part of what kept me from setting the book down was the authors use of metaphors and her descriptive word choice. It was as if I could visualize each seen as if I were watching a movie. In frustration and desperation for independence Delia leaves her family and goes away, for what I thought would be full of hot steamy affairs and neverending adventure. But that was not the case, once in a different town she continued to fall into the same role she had with her family. All in all, the book was a little dry at times but the authors distinct word choice and metaphorical aspects kept my mind focused. I enjoyed the book from that standpoint. I also could relate to Delia and her quest for independence and acceptance. The book served its purpose of pointing out an issue that many women may be afraid to deal with or accept. The story line however sort of let me down. I was expecting Delia to come back to her family a changed woman and to be more assertive. Life can be challenging at times and I think this book illustrates how the way we choose to deal with life's challenges can either make us or break us. So in that respect Delia didn't let her family's unacceptance of her get her down, she took a break and came back ready and willing to deal with that challenge.
Rating:
Summary: An Individual Path Without Growth
Review: We've always been intrigued by childhood games of hide and seek and adolescent attempts to run away and see if anyone really cares about us. But how often do we hear of an adult just walking out of his or her life? In Ladder of Years, Delia, the main character does just that. She walks away from her life of being ignored by her family and having cheap thrills by anyone who pays attention to her, into a more relaxed, less responsible life. However, Delia ends up creating the same roles that she had before and projecting her issues on to other people. When she returns home for a visit a year and a half later, she has not changed, and shows no courage in dealing with her family or talking about her reasons for leaving them. The content and ideas in the book keep the pages moving, but in the end, the lack of growth in Delia is a disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: A Silent Cry
Review: In Ladder of Years, by Ann Tyler, the main character Delia Grinstead grew up as the daughter of a doctor and sister to two older than her. Now at the age of forty and living in her late father's house, she is married to the doctor who relieved her father from practice and has three children who are quickly becoming young adults. Delia is a daughter, sister, wife, and mother, but somewhere in between being all these things she forgot how to be Delia. She lost herself so did what a lot of women contemplate doing. Sick of feeling lonely and unappreciated, Delia decides to take a walk and doesn't come back. She goes to a new town where nobody recognizes her and begins to start over. This novel is about one women's journey to find herself. I would defiantly recommend it to anyone who has ever lost themselves.
Rating:
Summary: Delia's stuck on a rung of the ladder
Review: When I finished this book, Ladder of Years, I closed it and felt a little cheated. I had gone on this adventure with Delia, yet I didn't know what decisions she had made and how she really felt. Tyler doesn't really let you get to know the characters very well to become very passionate about them or have sympathy for all them. I agree with some other reviews when that you can't quite understand this book until you reach the point where Delia is at. I was more puzzled about the loss of a mother for the children and no real word on Christmas than I was sympathetic towards Delia. This has a lot to do with my age and my point of life. Also, when Delia left, I had hoped that she would come back stronger than she did when she left that day at the beach. However, it seemed to me as though that if we were to visit Delia today she would be in her pink dress with a bow and she would be bending over backwards to please everyone no matter what. Tyler seemed to say that even though you can have adventures, you do have a place in life. I would agree and appreciate that part of the book. Another thing I truly enjoyed about the book was the fact that Delia did not have an affair. She stayed true to her word and her bond. That was the only true characteristic that made her seem strong to me. It is good to see a character that will stand up for the value of marriage. Basically, I liked and disliked this book all at once. The child in me was mad at her for leaving and not truly looking back, yet the other part of me was impressed at the journey she tried to take.
Rating:
Summary: Ladder leaves the reader wanting more
Review: Having read Ann Tyler's "Ladder of Years" twice within the past year, I can honestly say I am no more appreciative of the book than I was in '02. Most reviews seem to consider the book a tragedy, while others call it inspirational - a few reviewers even commented that THEY would like to pull a "Delia" and escape their present lives. I consider this work a dissapointment. While Tyler's writing is beautiful and she has masterful use of elements such as character, theme and symbol (I enjoyed the cat references) - the plot of the book (or lack thereof) left me frustrated and empty. Tyler sets up several possible areas for Delia to grow - from her brief and PG-rated fling with Adrian to her migration to Bay Borough - and none of them flesh out. Delia leaves her family - Sam, her distant and often unaffectionate husband and her three teenage-angst ridden children - only to fall back into the same behaviors again. She goes to work for Mr. Pomfret who treats her like Sam but with a paycheck, and then she goes on to Joel and becomes a pseudo-wife to him and mother to Noah. And, much like she did to her real family, Delia runs away from them too when the pressures get to be too great. Delia's act was one of desperation - a cry to break the boring and unappreciated rigors of her daily life. But Delia never makes good on her adventure...she ends up back home again without having accomplished anything. I wish Tyler would have delivered on ONE single, solitary situation that she so graciously tempts the reader with. I felt for Delia, I really did, but my sympathy extends only as far as Delia is willing to go...and that isn't a great distance.
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