Ladder of Years

Rating:
Summary: can't stop thinking about it.......
Review: There was something about this book that draws you in. It is difficult to think of a woman walking out on her family, but I just loved Delia. You want to think she is crazy, hurtful, or mean for walking out, but you simply cannot because she is so innocent and good hearted. This is a great read, and the last couple sentences are ones to savor. Great Book!

Rating:
Summary: Be careful where your walk takes you
Review: This book had a great plot idea. The mother is overwhelmed by it all. She just leaves while the rest of the family is on vacation....starts to walk and never looks back. There are some great characters in the book. The main character, Delia, is hollow feeling to me though. I feel for her and there are times when I really relate, and other times where I could almost put the book down--but am too curious about the ending to do that. A very interesting read, but I felt let down by the ending. If you enjoy Anne Tyler though and her odd characters as I do, then it's worth the read though.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent - A must read
Review: This has to be one of Anne Tyler's greatest works along with The Accidental Tourist. I have lent it out to several of my friends and they enjoyed it as much as I did.
The story will touch the soul of any wife/mother who has devoted her life to raising her children and supporting her husband only to find that she is left feeling unappreciated and unfulfilled.
I couldn't put this story down and was sad when I finished it as I couldn't imagine no longer being a part of the character's experiences. As always Anne Tyler pulls you right into the lives of the characters so you feel you are experiencing the story opposed to just reading the story. Her characters are so real and easy to identify with.
You will laugh, you will cry but most importantly you will not be able to put this book down.
I highly recommend this book to women who have grown or nearly grown children.

Rating:
Summary: what an adventure
Review: This was my first Anne Tyler book, and I found her characters to be thoroughly real and vivid. I enjoyed Delia's adventure. Nothing much happened, but I was always anticipating and in suspense. I personally have moved to new towns not knowing anyone and it "is what it is" sometimes, nothing spectacular but always fresh and new, and in hindsight, exciting!
I think when Delia left, she thought her family would find her and "take" her home. But they never did. Since they didn't she had to show them she could live without them as well.
She was always willing to come back home "Susie, I would've loved to help you plan your wedding" "Sam, all you had to was ask,".
Like another reviewer said, I felt the story was just a large circle, that ended up in the same place as it began. But it was such an interesting journey.
I thought the ending was totally suspenseful and realistic, and evenly satisfying.