Anne Tyler

A major new novel from the beloved Pulitzer Prize–winning author—a freshly observed, funny, joyful, brilliantly perceptive journey deep into one family’s foibles, from the 1950s up to our pandemic present. The Garretts take their first and last family vacation in the summer of 1959. They hardly ever venture beyond Baltimore, but in some ways they have never been farther apart. Mercy has trouble resisting the siren call of her aspirations to be a painter, which means less time keeping house for her husband, Robin. Their teenage daughters, steady Alice and boy-crazy Lily, could not have less in common. Their youngest, David, is already intent on escaping his family's orbit, for reasons none of them understand. Yet, as these lives advance across decades, the Garretts' influences on one another ripple ineffably but unmistakably through each generation. Full of heartbreak and hilarity, French Braid is classic Anne Tyler: a stirring, uncannily insightful novel of tremendous warmth and humor that illuminates the kindnesses and cruelties of our daily lives, the impossibility of breaking free from those who love us, and how close—yet how unknowable—every family is to itself.

A novel

French Braid

A major new novel from the beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning author--a freshly observed, funny, joyful, brilliantly perceptive journey deep into one family's foibles, from the 1950s up to our pandemic present. The Garretts take their first and last family vacation in the summer of 1959. They hardly ever venture beyond Baltimore, but in some ways they have never been farther apart. Mercy has trouble resisting the siren call of her aspirations to be a painter, which means less time keeping house for her husband, Robin. Their teenage daughters, steady Alice and boy-crazy Lily, could not have less in common. Their youngest, David, is already intent on escaping his family's orbit, for reasons none of them understand. Yet, as these lives advance across decades, the Garretts' influences on one another ripple ineffably but unmistakably through each generation. Full of heartbreak and hilarity, French Braid is classic Anne Tyler: a stirring, uncannily insightful novel of tremendous warmth and humor that illuminates the kindnesses and cruelties of our daily lives, the impossibility of breaking free from those who love us, and how close--yet how unknowable--every family is to itself.

This was such a beautiful, gentle book about family and familial love. There is something very tender about Tyler's storytelling; a quietness that, instead of boring, really draws your attention and makes you want to listen. It is a quality that she carries equally within the family's lives and deaths.

It is a short novel but I found myself feeling involved in the Garretts' lives and just want for them to be well. The idea to use a different POV for each of the few (but long) chapters really helped get to know each of the family members and get a better idea of the whole family. More impressively, there was such great cohesion between them that managed to both avoid feeling indistinctive and did not favour one character over another.

I was pleasantly surprised by the cosiness of the novel; it truly felt like a warm hug without being saccharine.

This was such a beautiful, gentle book about family and familial love. There is something very tender about Tyler's storytelling; a quietness that, instead of boring, really draws your attention and makes you want to listen. It is a quality that she carries equally within the family's lives and deaths.

It is a short novel but I found myself feeling involved in the Garretts' lives and just want for them to be well. The idea to use a different POV for each of the few (but long) chapters really helped get to know each of the family members and get a better idea of the whole family. More impressively, there was such great cohesion between them that managed to both avoid feeling indistinctive and did not favour one character over another.

I was pleasantly surprised by the cosiness of the novel; it truly felt like a warm hug without being saccharine.

Sonia Grgas

3.5, rounded down. It was very well done and I will say that Tyler's style always "goes down easy", but I could not warm up to any of the characters. The word clueless perfectly describes every one of them.

big ab

really enjoyed this! it was a story about a family that spanned decades. each chapter focused on a specific family member at a specific time. it was an interesting look at the complex relationships of families and how cycles repeat and how no matter how much time has past, you will miss the sound your dad made when coming home.

Molly Bridge

A great family story about multiple generations growing up on the east coast. I really enjoyed listening to this family story but I will say I wasn’t hooked on the characters, I just liked them. If I was reading this physically I may have dnfed because the chapters are LONG(like 90 minutes per chapter). If you enjoy family dramas this is a solid one but I could see how it’s not for everyone. 

Kerry Kalinoski

Really enjoyed this quiet, deep and thoughtful book which centers on a Baltimore family over the course of three generations.

Sarah Erle

Whitney Pickle

This was my first Anne Tyler book, but it won't be my last. She has a way of writing that keeps you engaged, all the while showing real, sometimes messy situations.

Christina Pappas

I really enjoyed this book. Based on the blurb, I was a little worried that the scope meant we wouldn't get an individual sense of the many characters, but that wasn't the case. The snapshots for each character, though brief moments in time, were so vivid and core to their identities - not to mention beautifully written - that I felt not only as though I knew them, but as though I knew them well enough to understand why other characters' perceptions of them were so different from their own. The contrast between how each character saw him or herself and how the other family members thought of them was a fascinating theme, and felt very true to life. What also resonated was how their needs and hopes sometimes overlapped, sometimes clashed with one another - also true. The title - and the explanation for it - was perfect for the story. 

For readers seeking plot-driven stories, this isn't it - but for those like me who love a good character-driven novel, I strongly recommend. (I don't often cry while reading books, but the scene where Robin recalls the first dinner Mercy made him brought me to tears.) 

Thank you to Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

French Braid A novel

Reviews