If you'd given me this book and blocked out the author's name I still would have known who wrote it.I had no problems with it; read easily, made sense, in the same way all Tyler's novels do.All her characters seem like they're in their 60s, though, no matter how old they really are supposed to be. I kept trying to do the math to figure out years and timings -- "Were people really wearing pantalettes in the 1970s?" The process of healing can be long, awkward, and painful. For Aaron, it is all of those things, after he loses his wife Dorothy. Aaron walks us through his poignant journey, often questioning, at other times resenting, and always wondering how this will end for him. Surprisingly, despite the subject matter, this is not a maudlin book; nor is it a feel good read. It is told almost in a matter-of-fact way, much like the "Beginner's Guides..." published by the protagonist. That, I guess, is the point.
What do You think about The Beginner's Goodbye (2012)?
Deadly slow read. Normally am a big fan of Ann Tyler but maybe I've outgrown her quirky characters.
—kloedrage
One of my mother's favourite authors. I enjoyed this book, but I wouldn't ave about it!
—Brendan
