Clock Dance, Anne Tyler, Alfred A Knopf, 2018, 292 pp
This wonderful novel is the latest from Anne Tyler and proves (at least to me) that she has not lost one whit of the qualities that infuse all of her work: deep perception of human beings and of what makes life hard and where joy might be found. This is her 22nd novel in 54 years of publishing. It is the sixth one I have read and I don't intend to stop until I have read them all.
Willa Drake, my goodness, had a long path to finding herself. She had her reasons from childhood. She is one of those women who has every good quality you could hope for in a person except the ability to assert herself. I know in these days of whatever stage of feminism we are in, we like stories of strong women who can do it all and have it all. Maybe that is because there are still too many women like Willa.
The novel is also full of the slightly off characters who people Anne Tyler's stories. Sometimes I think we, especially Americans, like to hang out with fairly mainstream people, though look where that has gotten us.
Willa is on husband number two, when she makes an impulsive decision that opens up her life at the age of 61. Impulsive decisions are not new for her. What is new is that this one brings her what she wants.
Another theme in Anne Tyler's books is that our faults or negative qualities or shortcomings can work in our favor when we least expect it. I always find that an encouraging idea.
(Clock Dance is available in various formats by order from Once Upon A Time Bookstore.)
Good to know that despite fiction being populated by some terribly ordinary characters, Willa is not one of them. I like faulty characters even if I don't always find them likable. I, too, find this an encouraging idea: "that our faults or negative qualities or shortcomings can work in our favor when we least expect it..."
ReplyDeleteCarmen, you are the greatest!
DeleteI read this and liked it but not my favorite.
ReplyDeleteFair enough. Which ones are your favorites?
DeleteIsn't Tyler terrific? I'm glad you enjoyed this one, as did I.
ReplyDeleteYes, she is. I am glad we both enjoyed it.
DeleteI've read and greatly enjoyed Tyler over the years. I'm looking forward to this one.
ReplyDeleteThen I think you will not be disappointed.
DeleteI've never heard of this author but I'm going to have to check her out!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like her books.
DeleteYeah I like the everydayness of her stories & characters & that she's writes about middle age-sters. I guess my favorites are Accidental Tourist and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. Those sad ones cut to the heart. Wow
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to reading the books of hers I haven't read yet.
DeleteI haven't read an Anne Tyler novel in decades. I've only read her novel, The Accidental Tourist, but honestly I do not remember much about it.
ReplyDeletePerhaps, it's time for me to read more of her novels.
Oh yes, you should take a chance on her again!
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