The Accidental Tourist - Anne Tyler

...generally restore my faith in the goodness of humankind. My wife, bless her cotton socks, knew just the book.. And so with much expectation (and perhaps a little trepidation) I began 'The Accidental Tourist'. I mean, with a title like that it's gotta be fairly light hearted right? On page one I'm introduced to our central protagonist, Macon Leary. Macon is a reclusive, insular, anally retentive, emotionally inept, socially incompetent, compulsive ...
...for my 'enchanting escapism from the harsh realities of life'. It can only get better right? So you'd think. So I read on with a good deal more trepidation until I reach the clincher. Sarah and Macon's 12 year old son Ethan was killed a year ago - shot in the head in cold blood, no less. A senseless killing in a botched burger bar hold up. To tell you the truth I almost laughed. Not at the movingly depressing event, but rather at the sheer relentlessness ...

Spiderkid 19.10.2005 (20.10.2005) · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Accidental Tourist - Anne Tyler

...opinion with you. WHAT’S THE STORY ? Well it’s about a couple, called Macon and Sarah, who lost their twelve year old son Ethan, who was murdered in a burger bar hold up in a summer camp. Since his death, Marcon has retreated into a life of rituals and habits and Sarah has desperately sought ways to express her anger and grief at losing her son. Sarah decides to leave Macon and he drifts into an affair with a lady named Muriel, who is ...
...atmosphere and it looks at the conflict between traditional and modern values. It deals with people’s capacity for change in life. It is not a conventional love story but eventually Marcon’s need for Muriel outweighs his other emotions. Marcon and Muriel are poles apart in temperament; she’s instinctive, impetuous, poorly educated and talks endlessly, while Macon is the complete opposite. Muriel is a struggling single parent, who ...

Deni 15.09.2001 · Read full review
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Review of The Accidental Tourist - Anne Tyler

The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler This book was written in 1985 and it won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction. Then in 1988 the book was adapted for a film which starred William Hurt, Kathleen Turner and Geena Davis. The story is set in Baltimore, Maryland and the story centres on Macon Leary who is a Travel Guide writer. His son who was twelve had been killed in a shooting incident at a fast food restaurant. Sarah his wife and ...
...and there marriage was under the strain of collapsing. Eventually Sarah did leave. Macon had a fall and became unable to look after himself so he stayed with is Sister who was called Rose and Porter and Charles who were his brothers they were a little strange and eccentric. Charles had very strange habits and he had to have the groceries in the food cupboards in Alphabetical order After a while he employed a lady called Muriel Pritchett who had ...

ruth1957 21.05.2008 · Read full review
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Review of The Accidental Tourist - Anne Tyler

Loved this book from start to finish. Quirky characters and an insight into different facets of human nature and people's motivations. An easy read that made me want to read more of this author. Also went back to watch the film! ...

Dexter55 16.07.2008
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Review of The Accidental Tourist - Anne Tyler