Helpful Score: 3
While I am a fan of Anne Tyler, I didn't care too much for the ending of this book. It did, however leave you wanting more.
Helpful Score: 3
This is a "coming of age" of a woman who nearly waited too long. How a woman seeks and finds her own worth is a marvel of terrific writing. This IS NOT a "chick book". It is for anyone, anywhere who has ever asked themselves very hard questions - with no idea how to answer them.
Helpful Score: 3
A woman leaves he family on a spur of the moment decision, with very little money, and wearing only a bathing suit. A thoughtful book about a subject that every mother probably ponders at some point in life.
Helpful Score: 2
Maybe I liked this book so much because Delia actually does what every wife and mother must sometimes dream about doing - - just walking away from it all.
Helpful Score: 2
Have you ever wanted to walk away from your present life and start fresh somewhere else? This book fulfills those fantasies.
Helpful Score: 2
I never miss an Anne Tyler book. Published in 1995, this is the story of a wife and mother of three almost-grown children who on a sudden impulse walks away from a family vacation and the sense of being expendable that it has engendered. She finds a small town that attracts her, rents a room, and settles in to see what she can make happen next. An intriguing look into what might have happened if we'd ever had the nerve to do it...
Helpful Score: 2
Wow....second novel in a row that I have read and the endings make no sense. This one was at the point of culmination when the story ended. The resolution, which was NOT inevitable but certainly the most likely, occurred. But why? It's as if the author had this book "almost done & stashed way away" for a long time and the publisher was pressing for a manuscript so Ms. Tyler picked it up, wrote about 1200 words, and called it done. Good grief. The tone changed that abruptly.
Another irritation in the book -- "anyhow." The phraseology caught my attention early b/c it's a dialect phraseology. The more common usage is "anyway." Well, "anyhow" appeared all the time. Enough of the anyhow. It was not infrequently used.
The actual story kept me reading until the last 30 pages when I got bored. Delia, the main character, lost whatever luster she had by that time. Different circumstances, but I separated from my family at about the same age, so I thought I could relate. But I don't think Delia ever gained any insight into herself in this book. She just breathed air on a daily basis....
But I did finish reading the book. Had to give Delia that chance to tell her story. Not sure why...
Another irritation in the book -- "anyhow." The phraseology caught my attention early b/c it's a dialect phraseology. The more common usage is "anyway." Well, "anyhow" appeared all the time. Enough of the anyhow. It was not infrequently used.
The actual story kept me reading until the last 30 pages when I got bored. Delia, the main character, lost whatever luster she had by that time. Different circumstances, but I separated from my family at about the same age, so I thought I could relate. But I don't think Delia ever gained any insight into herself in this book. She just breathed air on a daily basis....
But I did finish reading the book. Had to give Delia that chance to tell her story. Not sure why...
Helpful Score: 1
I have yet to read anything by her that I have not loved immediately. This is the story a woman who faces a midlife crisis and feels unappreciated (sound familiar ladies) by her family. She leaves town while they are family vacation. Full of surprises.
Helpful Score: 1
A great novel!!
Helpful Score: 1
Great story line of woman who "runs away" from her life and starts fresh (who hasn't wanted to take that route at some point in their lives?!) Ending a little undeveloped. Nice book to take to the beach for a light read!
Helpful Score: 1
This was my first Anne Tyler novel and I really enjoyed it. I will be reading more of her novels. I recommend it this book if you enjoy a good story about a strong woman and her struggle to find herself.
Helpful Score: 1
Loved the charecters(sp?) Didn't want story to end.
Helpful Score: 1
At 40, Delia Grinstead seems more likely to have an attack of anxiety, or of whimsy, than to become a runaway wife. Yet, in Tyler's 13th beguiling novel, Delia's impulse to escape her disapproving physician husband and three surly children turns into an adventure that sweeps her from her staid Baltimore orbit into a new existence as Ms. Grinstead, spinster, in the Delaware community of Bay Borough. It's the unexamined life that's Delia's problem, and when she finally strips away layers of hurt, resentment, guilt and anger, she confronts her inner self and begins to deal with the chronic insecurity that has kept her childlike, flighty and dependent. Gradually, she becomes part of her new community, and has the courage to take a job caring for Noah Miller, an appealing 12-year-old whose mother has also run away from home and family. Over the course of a year, Delia discards her timorous personality and gains an understanding of the person she wants to be.
Helpful Score: 1
What a great, easy read. Just in time for the beach. A must read for anyone who has wanted to run away from it all - even is only for a day, a few weeks, or a year.
Helpful Score: 1
How often have you wanted to just disappear from your life and start a new one? Anne Tyler at her best in this book. Terrific and fun to read.
Helpful Score: 1
Delia's impulse to escape her disapproving physician husband and three surly children turns into an adventure that sweeps her from her staid Baltimore orbit into a new existence as Ms. Grinstead, spinster, in the Delaware community of Bay Borough. It's the unexamined life that's Delia's problem, and when she finally strips away layers of hurt, resentment, guilt and anger, she confronts her inner self and begins to deal with the chronic insecurity that has kept her childlike, flighty and dependent. Gradually, she becomes part of her new community, and has the courage to take a job caring for Noah Miller, an appealing 12-year-old whose mother has also run away from home and family. Over the course of a year, Delia discards her timorous personality and gains an understanding of the person she wants to be. One of the satisfactions of this novel is Tyler's evocation of typical family life. While in the past some of her characters have been too eccentric or fey, Delia and her family and friends all have both feet planted in the real world, even if their heads and hearts are sometimes elsewhere. Some readers may have difficulty accepting Delia's ability to absent herself from her children, but Tyler engages our sympathy and growing respect for a character who finally realizes that "the ladder of years" is a time trip to the future.
Helpful Score: 1
Another great Anne Tyler book. Delia Grinstead disappears while on a family vacation. Supposedly she just strolled away while carrying a large tote bag trimmed with a pink bow.
I really enjoyed this book. The story flowed very well. It read very easy and fast. I am looking forward to reading more of Anne Tyler's work.
Baltimore woman disappears during family vacation-declares the headline. 40 year old Delia is last seen strolling down the Delaware shore, wearing nothing more than a bathing suit and carrying a beach tote with five hundred dollars tucked inside. To her husband and three almost-grown children, she has vanished without trace or reason. But for Delia, who feels like a tiny gnat buzzing around her family's edges, walking away from it all is not a premeditated act but an impulse that will lead her into a new, exciting, and unimagined life.....
I didn't like this book as much as I like her others.
If you have ever thought of just running away from your life you will want to read this book.
The storyline was hard to digest as to why a mother would just walk out on her 3 children....even though they were almost grown. The author states the "woman leaves her family only to find in the end that she is just trying to figure out how to say good-bye when they leave her". Overall the book was an enjoyable read even though not too realistic in my opinion.
nice book no sex or murders- You can really see how she felt living but not really. Looking to read more of her stuff. I did not want it to end.
I've read Anne Tyler for years and loved her. I loved this book until the end, which I loathed. It didn't ring true to me. Alas.
An excellent story of what happens when a woman chooses to re-create her life in the middle of it. Anne Tyler has a real gift for creating realistic characters with whom the reader can immediately identify.
I loved this story when I read it back in the early 90s about a housewife who leaves home, dressed only in a swimsuit and her beachbag. She is done with that life and ready for another. I lived vicariously through those pages.
Again, great character development. Loved it.
A great book about a woman who feels she has been totally taken advantage of and not truly appreciated by her family.
Anne Tyler is wonderful- this novel is full of her quirky characters and situations.
Delia Grinstead, 40-year-old mother of three almost-grown children, on a sudden impulse, walks away from her marriage, hitches a ride into the unknown, and settles in a strange new town. But soon after she begins her impersonal, unencumbered new life, fresh responsibilities inevitably accumulate.
This is a story about the 90's but feels more like the 50's. It has themes of abandonment, identity and a second chance for love. Has bits of humor but depressing in parts. Tyler's books are enjoyable. I think I will read Dinner At The Homesick Restaurant next. Read this and find out how Delia seems to have found a new and exciting life.
This is a story about the 90's but feels more like the 50's. It has themes of abandonment, identity and a second chance for love. Has bits of humor but depressing in parts. Tyler's books are enjoyable. I think I will read Dinner At The Homesick Restaurant next. Read this and find out how Delia seems to have found a new and exciting life.
"Baltimore Woman Disappears During Family Vacation" declares the newspaper headline. Forty-year-old Cordelia Grinstead is last seen strolling along a Delaware beach, wearing nothing more than a bathing suit and carrying a beach tote with five hundred dollars tucked inside. To her husband, Sam and three almost-grown children, she has vanished without trace or reason. However, for Delia, who feels like a tiny gnat buzzing around the edge of her own family, "walking away from it all" is not a premeditated act but an impulse that will lead her into a new, exciting and unencumbered life.
In a nearby town, Delia reinvents herself - getting her first job, finding her first place, and buying her first business suit. She becomes a serious and independent-minded woman with no ties. However, soon after Delia begins her exciting, unencumbered life, fresh responsibilities inevitably accumulate.
I really enjoyed this story. It drew me in completely and I was curious to see how the story would eventually turn out for all the characters. I give this book an A+! and look forward to reading more books by Anne Tyler.
In a nearby town, Delia reinvents herself - getting her first job, finding her first place, and buying her first business suit. She becomes a serious and independent-minded woman with no ties. However, soon after Delia begins her exciting, unencumbered life, fresh responsibilities inevitably accumulate.
I really enjoyed this story. It drew me in completely and I was curious to see how the story would eventually turn out for all the characters. I give this book an A+! and look forward to reading more books by Anne Tyler.
Detailed, inner thoughts of all characters well developed plot. I devoured this book which ended with an uplifting conclusion. This is the third book by this author intend to read more of her books.
One of her best.
Runaway wife with a twist of humor, as only Anne Tyler can do.
Very interesting book.
Anonymous reviewed Ladder of Years on
Excellent read. I am always intrigued by the idea of suddenly leaving without any specific goal, no preparation and with nothing much in the way of possessions. Anne Tyler has a unique style of writing which held me in its grip throughout. A marvelous novel.
Wonderfully staisfying like all Anne Tyler's books.
Great Read as are all her books!
This is one of Ann Tyler's best!
Somewhat dated, but if you like Anne Tyler...,
I enjoyed this book but thought the ending was a little weak - and a little disappointing. It is a very light weight read - not too believable - requiring not much concentraton, so an ideal book for the end of the day, or on vacation.
This didnt hold my interest much. I kept putting off reading it and when I did start reading, I was soon asleep. I'm glad I'm finally done w/ it! lol
I very much enjoyed this book. It was a fun, easy read and I just loved Delia. There was a lot of humor but some poignant moments that touched you.
From Library Journal
"Delia Grinstead begins a new life... by simply walking away from her family's vacation at the beach.
She spends the next year reinventing herself, no longer the doctor's faithful and timid wife, the dutiful mother of three, the practical sister.
Finally, she discovers a life of her own; for the first time she is independent, away from the home and practice her husband inherited from her father.
The detachment the author puts Delia through is common Tyler territory: at times surprising, at times perfectly mundane as Delia re-creates a life and an identity...Tyler fans will appreciate the familiar twists on the commonplace and the author's endearing characters."
"Delia Grinstead begins a new life... by simply walking away from her family's vacation at the beach.
She spends the next year reinventing herself, no longer the doctor's faithful and timid wife, the dutiful mother of three, the practical sister.
Finally, she discovers a life of her own; for the first time she is independent, away from the home and practice her husband inherited from her father.
The detachment the author puts Delia through is common Tyler territory: at times surprising, at times perfectly mundane as Delia re-creates a life and an identity...Tyler fans will appreciate the familiar twists on the commonplace and the author's endearing characters."
This edition is paperback not hardcover. Great book!
Great Book
Forty-year-old Delia Grinstead disappears, leaving her husband and three children.
A story about a doctors wife who just walks out on the entire family and creates a new life for herself.
One summer day on a sudden impulse, Cordelia quietly walks away from her marriage, her family and her domestic routine of more than 20 years, closes the door behind her, hitches a ride to the unknown, and settles in a strange new town to start a whole new life.
This is an ARC
This is an ARC
This is a paperback, not hardback. Wonderful characterization in a quirky way, this is Anne Tyler at her best.
Baltimore woman disappears during family vacation, declares headline. Forty-year-old Delia Grinstead is last seen strolling down the Delaware shore, wearing nothing more than a bathing suit and carrying a beach tote with five hundred dollars tucked inside.
I have Ladder of Years paperback but it has different cover and ISBN number. The spine has some wear but title and author plaining visable.
