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There are currently 28 member reviews
for Clock Dance
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Jill S. (Chicago, IL)
Quintessential Anne Tyler - a treat for her fans
If I had to choose an author to write my own life story, it would be Anne Tyler. She suffuses her quirky characters with so much compassion and understanding that they come alive on the page.
In Clock Dance, familiar themes emerge: the woman who must leave home to find herself (Ladder of Years), the emotional distancing of children (Dinner in the Homesick Restaurant), the difference in marital styles (The Amateur Marriage). Those who love Anne Tyler—and I do—will rejoice in all the familiar nuances of her oeuvre: eccentric yet familiar characters, baffling children, happened-upon marriages, the Baltimore setting and the dichotomy between confinement and freedom, security and self-worth. ." Now in her 70s, Anne Tyler still imparts lessons about the glory of living. As long as she keeps writing, I'll keep reading.
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Sue Z. (Cornelius, NC)
Clock Dance
Once again Ann Tyler has written a book that will delight her many fans. Willa, the main character, is a middleaged woman, who, although loved and cared for, has always been taken for granted by those in her family.That changes suddenly when she receives a strange phone call that will turn her world upside down. A gentle and encouraging book that is bound to be the choice of many, many book clubs this year
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Kelli R. (Birmingham, AL)
Beautifully Gentle Story of a Woman's Life
Sometimes a book finds you right where you are and turns out to be the perfect book to read in that very moment. Clock Dance was just what the reading doctor ordered. Here's what I needed and here's what I got: a beautifully gentle story of a woman's life with its inevitable ups and downs. Anne Tyler tackles difficult subjects with grace and amazing insight sprinkled with humor and a true understanding of human nature. I saw myself and my family reflected in the familiar characters of this novel which prompted frequent chuckles and "notes to self" along the way. What a pleasant reading journey!
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Barbara R. (Lander, WY)
Character Development
Character development in Clock Dance is not only one of the reasons I like Anne Tyler's books; it's also the theme of this particular book.
The first part of the book is about pivotal times in Willa's life that made her the woman that she is in 2017; eager to please, to be taken for granted, to not rock the boat. One disturbing incident is never really explained and is dismissed by her boyfriend and family as all in Willa's head. We're never told otherwise.
The second, and more interesting, part of the story begins with a mistaken call for help, which Willa uncharacteristically answers, much to the surprise of the recipients and the displeasure of her current husband. In answering that plea, Willa is thrown in with a family and neighborhood that will change her.
The main characters in Clock Dance, especially Willa and nine-year-old Cheryl, are more fleshed out than those in The Beginner's Goodbye. The secondary characters in the second part of the book are pretty well-developed with the exception of Peter, who seems like a cardboard copy of Derrick, Willa's first husband.
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Meara C. (Spokane, WA)
A Comfortingly Familiar Return to a Classic Style
Celebrated author Anne Tyler returns with a novel exploring important, if somewhat-repetitive, themes. Willa Drake's journey to self-reliance and the ever-broadening distance between herself and her children might be recognizable to long-time Tyler fans. However, I suspect that the majority of audiences reading Clock Dance come to Tyler for precisely that reason; her finely-drawn characters are comfortingly familiar in the same way that putting on that old cozy sweater is. Though Tyler is very much within her comfort zone with this novel, I still quite enjoyed following Willa across the country and through her interactions with a fun, zany cast of characters.
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Susan Coene
Lovely Story, Great Concept
I received a free copy of this book for discussion on Book Browse. I know I am supposed to wait to discuss this book but wanted to get review out. I truly loved this delightful tale and loved all of the quirky characters in Baltimore. My least favorites were Denise and Peter, her second husband, but it certainly didn't deter from the premise of the book. Do yourself a favor this Summer, pick this up at your local book store and savor every page. I do not believe in retelling the story in my reviews I just provide you with my thoughts on whether you should read it or not. By ALL MEANS! read this. It is an escape from the heat and the bad news.
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Susan C. (Lake San Marcos, CA)
Clock Dance
Another good Anne Tyler book. I liked following Willa through the stages of her life — seeing how she felt about her life and how she related to others. As a transplant from Minnesota to southern California I understand how she missed the seasons. I found the novel's characters to be interesting, eccentric and likable.
What makes a family?
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