Saturday, July 24, 2010
Anne Tyler vs. Anita Shreve
Tyler, Anne. Noah’s Compass: A Novel. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. Print.
Shreve, Anita. A Change in Altitude: A Novel. New York: Little, Brown and Co, 2009. Print. 
(Photograph by Diana Walker)
This week I read Anne Tyler’s latest novel, Noah’s Compass. It’s a story about a 60 year old curmudgeon who loses his job and moves to a smaller apartment to save money. I found it to be absolutely riveting.
Since the book is rather short, I don’t want to give away much of the story. If you liked Accidental Tourist, you will love Noah’s Compass. If your library’s copy is checked out, it’s worth a trip to the bookstore. Just be aware that the list price is ($25.95–yikes!) and not all of the reviews were favorable. If you treat the book carefully while you read it, you can wrap it up and give it away as a Christmas gift.
ps. Anne Tyler’s books are so multi-layered that many people write doctoral dissertations about her work. As John Updike said, “Anne Tyler is not merely good, she is wickedly good.”
pps. Like John Waters, Anne Tyler sets most of her stories in her hometown, Baltimore.
Where did you find that old avatar? I think it makes me look fat.
I will stretch it out!!!!
Great idea–thanks!
Instant thin!!!