About this title: In the course of a day spent with her husband of 28 years, Maggie Moran reviews and reconsiders her married life. While the two of them drive 90 miles north of their home in Baltimore to attend the funeral of the husband of Maggie's best friend, Maggie wonders how her son Jesse's married life can be saved, and what is worth saving in her own marriage.
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"The main character of this story had me totally exasperated by the end of the book. Anne Tyler does such a good job of being able to evoke emotions from her readers. This character was an extemely meddling mother, wife and mother-in-law. The story is written from her perspective which makes it easier to understand her and see her point of view, however, I was ready to throttle her, with all of her quirky yet endearing qualities. Her meddling was innocent and good hearted. She just wanted to make things right and keep people happy whether they wanted to or not. Do we know anyone like this? (in real life)"
"When I was in Paris I spent an hour one afternoon watching a guy make a painting of Notre Dame in front of the Seine. When he finished, I bought the painting, not because it moved me or because it was anything more than ordinary, but because I knew years later when I looked at it I would remember the feeling I got watching someone masterful create something from nothing.
That's kind of how this book made me feel. It's not showy the way Pulitzer's sometimes are. In fact, nothing of consequence happens in 300 pages. But I did like watching Anne Tyler construct it. She has a nice way with language, with dialogue."
Maggie and Ira have been married for 28 years. One day they set out on a short trip to attend the funeral of Maggie's best friend's husband. During the trip they take several detours to see old friends and visit their grown children. Along the way we find all we need to know about marriage. So many things that go into a relationship and make it what it is and how we love without our ever realizing it. It also shows us how a husband and wife can fall in love all over again and the way everthing changes. The way nothing changes."
"I initially read this book when it was first published and so enjoyed it. I related to the way Maggie saw people as a glorified version rather than who they truly were, the way she saw the best in everyone. My daughter just said to me yesterday that I viewed everything from a glorified bubble where I saw only the best in everyone. In some ways that is not a bad place to be, but I could also relate to the vulnerabilities when one lives in such a bubble, the disillusionment and disappointments when people just turn out to be human. I also loved the way a family can love one another despite very human flaws. I should reread this book now that I am as old as Maggie. Like her, I adore my child. Unlike her, I think I view my daughter realistically. I see the glorious aspects of her character and those aspects of her character not so glorious. I adore her anyway, and delight as she grows and changes. It takes a toughness to be a woman, to persevere in an imperfect world. Ultimately, Maggie is revealed as a strong woman with the ability to persevere and to dream."
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