One of my many favorite Anne Tyler books!!

Tough read. Took me weeks to finish and I can read a book in day.

Good or bad? I'm not sure. The author is obviously a talented writer - the story is easy to read and interesting storytelling techniques are used. But, I'm not sure how interesting the story actually was. It is a story of a family struggling with daily life, aging parents, rebellious children, "keeping up with the Jones", and purpose in life. The author starts out in current day, but then in the second and third parts jumps back in time to the main character's parents telling their story. In part four, time shifts back to current day and focuses on the grown child who has been the greatest enigma in the family. The ending reads more like a beginning. I guess I kept waiting for the old and new stories to tie together and go somewhere. The book is done and I'm still waiting... Unless you really like slice of life family stories, then this is not a book I would recommend.

I was sorry and surprised to read so many bad reviews of this book. I found it anything but boring. Tyler's characters are always very homespun, folksy, people next door types. The Whitshanks are no exception. They are all multi-layered people and it's up to the reader to figure them out. I loved the book. I have read all of Tyler's books and although this was not my favorite, I enjoyed watching this family with all their personality quirks, develop and grow....the ups and downs of every day life that we all go through.

Bought the book because of the authors name and liked the cover. The book never went anywhere. Characters were dull, couldn't find a plot, finally just stopped reading it.

Nice read with no point very disappointing

First book that I have not finished in many years. This book was a waste of my time and money.

Most boring book I've ever read. So upset I wasted time and money on it

Characters were not interesting and story was boring. It was very hard to finish this book. I put it down after a few hours and only came back and finished it weeks later when I had nothing else to read.

The first book I couldn't finish in the past 20 years. I felt like Denny, any excuse to get away. Really boring and characterless characters