I think that the relationship between the protagonists here is not unlike modern day relationships. Even in today’s day and age of 50% of marriages ending in divorce, to me couples really do seem to get married at a point in their relationship because it just feels like the ‘right’ thing to do. Almost like they are unknowingly following an unwritten script that their parents, and grandparents had followed. Thank you for the material!

Interesting review. As a non-English speaker reading Tyler, I can’t help but amazed at how she senses and describes relationships. Remember when Micheal wondered how his life would have looked like if he had done this and that differently…One of the “other choices” did happen, with his marriage with Anna. And how did it turn out? Do you ever wonder why she chose the book title…Who can actually say they have a mature, skillfully managed marriage?

jb says: Hi huyenha; thanks for the comment. But who does have a mature, skillfully managed marriage?

I do like the sense of imagery though…_Matt

jb says: Hi Matt. I liked the book, but I don’t find myself rushing back to Tyler country for more of the same.
I thought her depiction of the community around these people was nice and rounded and true.

Link: The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler – a review – John Baker’s Blog….

I liked the way you singled out Tyler’s portrayal of sadness as a realistic positive attribute and not one that featured negativity. That there would be no dreary resignation but instead, a bent determination for survival buried somewhere in the burrows of grief.
After all, there is a fine line between the two.

I wonder too if this is the same Anne Tyler who holds writing workshops in London.
with regards

jb says: Hi Susan, I could be wrong, of course, but the writer of this book is an American author, and I don’t know of a London connection.