I did not read these books, however you do bring up some thought provoking subjects. I think leaving everything behind (which I have sort of done) is either a freedom/privilege just to have that ability, or its a sign of nothing to loose, feeling so far down that whatever happens won't make it any worse. I love books that make you think long after reading them.
I enjoyed Ladder of Years when it came out. Anne Tyler is very good at poking around the lives of people who seem to have normal, boring lives on the surface but are simmering with quirks and deeper emotions. I think the story speaks to women who start to feel invisible at some point in their lives, even to the people closest to them. I want to reread it now. Anne Tyler wrote about absent fathers/brothers earlier in her career: Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Searching for Caleb, Morgan's Passing...
Thank you for that insight! I think in Ladder of Years she was definitely feeling invisible and taken for granted. I'm still thinking about the ending weeks later!
@ArtBookshelfOdyssey Amazing concept that reminds me of the centuries when America was colonized by our Europeans ancestors, they literally left their world behind like people going to another planet. What moves people to do this? I think the search for hope to a new life away from European wars decade after decade, servitude to landlords and no hope things will change. Your book theme seems to describe what millions of people, to this day, consider to just pack and go.
I did not read these books, however you do bring up some thought provoking subjects. I think leaving everything behind (which I have sort of done) is either a freedom/privilege just to have that ability, or its a sign of nothing to loose, feeling so far down that whatever happens won't make it any worse. I love books that make you think long after reading them.
These books have definitely made me think - I still am thinking about them weeks later!
I enjoyed Ladder of Years when it came out. Anne Tyler is very good at poking around the lives of people who seem to have normal, boring lives on the surface but are simmering with quirks and deeper emotions. I think the story speaks to women who start to feel invisible at some point in their lives, even to the people closest to them. I want to reread it now. Anne Tyler wrote about absent fathers/brothers earlier in her career: Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Searching for Caleb, Morgan's Passing...
Thank you for that insight! I think in Ladder of Years she was definitely feeling invisible and taken for granted. I'm still thinking about the ending weeks later!
@ArtBookshelfOdyssey Amazing concept that reminds me of the centuries when America was colonized by our Europeans ancestors, they literally left their world behind like people going to another planet. What moves people to do this? I think the search for hope to a new life away from European wars decade after decade, servitude to landlords and no hope things will change. Your book theme seems to describe what millions of people, to this day, consider to just pack and go.
That hope for a new life is definitely what would motivate me to just pack up and go... however, I would find it difficult to leave behind my family.
Some of us have been pushed out the door and made it seem like they left on their own recognizance
A lot of homeless men are in this category
Good point!