Once you start it, you won't be able to switch it off!
How does it compare to similar audio books?
Not applicable
How does it compare to audio works by the same author?
Not applicable
Advantages:
Real page turner
Disadvantages:
None
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I am having an Anne Tyler 'season' of reading at present, and so here is the second review of one of her books. Anne Tyler lives in Baltimore, and her stories are based in this city on the eastern seaboard of the US. Having read a few of her books, I already feel that I know Baltimore well, and its diverse population with strong Polish influence.
A Patchwork Planet is another very readable story book which kept me interested from the first page when our hero, Barnaby Gaitlin, begins a journey to see his estranged daughter in Philadelphia. Barnaby is in his late 20's, and has had a troubled past. His family are wealthy, but it becomes clear that his father may have married 'below him' by taking on a Polish wife from the poorer suburbs on Baltimore. His mother has had to work hard to fit in with her life, and Barnaby has not helped her along the way with his behaviour.
The Gaitlin family have a long history of finding 'guardian angels' which they then set down in volumes of where and how the 'angels' have helped them. Barnaby is still looking for his guardian angel, and this forms the basis of the book.
The story is written in the first person, so not omniscient and you only know as much about any other characters as Barnaby is willing to tell you about. You only ever have his perception of any given situation while you are reading. Despite this, though, Anne Tyler has cleverly woven this story, and given Barnaby such a likeable character (not immediately obvious, though) that the other characters of the book become more rounded as you turn the pages.
As said, the whole 'guardian angel' thing is the main focus, but without being a spoiler, I came to my own conclusion on that score, and don't think Barnaby ever truly realised who his angel was. If anyone reads the book and remembers this, mention it to me in my guestbook (if you are a member) and I will say who I think it was!
Another interesting part of reading this book for me, personally, was that I hadn't realised when I bought it from Amazon, that it would be so linked to my personal life in that the work Barnaby does is support for elderly and infirm in the community. Having a long history of providing care in the community myself, I could relate to the anecdotes and clearly imagine the scenes he became involved in. The only difference being that in the US, this is not covered by the government and so this type of service comes at a huge price to the customers. There was a part where Barnaby is looking at the calendar of one client, and she has marked all the visitors expected the following week, but there is no mention of Barnaby from 'Rent a Back' noted, as he is has now become just part of the normal day and no longer a consideration to be noted down. This also rang true when someone died and the family just never thought to mention it to 'Rent a Back' so Barnaby arrived at the house to do his usual routine only to find the family rifling through the belongings.
The title of the book is a good one. Most people as they are finding their way in life, have some idea of where they 'should' be fitting in, and how they should be living. What they fail to see is that everyone else is doing the same, and that there is no 'grand plan' that others know about, really. We are all just winging it! You can try to conform to what you perceive as being the right role, or the right way forward, but it may not be that this is the right direction for you personally. The old adage 'it takes all sorts to make the world go round' is the best way to look at life, as we are not mere sheep, despite attempts by those around us to become what they have chosen for us to become. Anne Tyler has a skill at understanding personalities, and in this book, she really develops some of them, although not all. Barnaby's father was not well explored, although, I feel that this was probably deliberate as he was shallow and on a completely different wavelength to Barnaby and this was part of Barnaby's problem.
This sounds like a miserably story, but it really isn't. As a reader, you are routing for Barnaby and wanting the best for him. He doesn't always act like you would like him to, and that is part of his charm, but you do believe in him. A bit about the author. Anne Tyler is originally from Minneapolis, and born in 1941. She was nominated by Nick Hornby and Roddy Doyle in 1994 for the Pullitzer Prize. Jeremy Paxman, of all people, says of this book that he was "bowled over.." and " …, finished the book wishing it had been twice as long" . Praise indeed!
The Patchwork Planet can be bought at all good booksellers, and on line. Mine was published by Vintage Books, Random House. The ISBN is 978-0-099-27268-7. It also says it was £7.99, but I got it cheaper on Amazon.
Only a short review this time, but deliberately so, as to say anymore about this book would give too much away and negate the purpose.
Thanks for reading!
Orlando 2007
PS - not sure why it is asking if I would 'listen to it again'?! Please ignore that question below.
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has yet to graduate from college, is already divorced and is used to defeat. His mother thrives on reminding him of his adolescent delinquency and debt to his fam...
Vintage - Anne Tyler
Barnaby Gaitlin is one of Anne Tyler's most promising unpromising characters. At 30, he
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has yet to graduate from college, is already divorced and is used to defeat. His mother thrives on reminding him of his adolescent delinquency and debt to his fam...
