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Product Description
Book Description
One of eight Anne Tyler novels reissued in 2008 with stunning new jackets
Product Description
When eighteen year old Ian Bedloe pricks the bubble of his familys optimistic self-deception, his brother Danny drives into a wall, his sister-in-law falls apart, and his parents age before his eyes. Consumed by guilt Ian finds the hope of forgiveness at the Church of the Second Chance, and leaves college to cope with the three children he has inherited and his own embarrassing religion. Twenty years on, Ian's prospects of a second chance are receding fast when, out of the heart of the domesticity that has engulfed him, strides a new figure who will bring him new life.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Written in 1991 this is vintage Anne Tyler and one of my favourites from among her many novels. It's the story of the Bledoe family from Baltimore (where else?) and in particular their son Ian. Often in her books there are some really unexpected plot twists and in this one there is a really big bombshell really early on in the story which completely changes the perceived direction of the book. We see Ian and the family trying to come to terms with two tragedies, coping with guilt and finally picking up the pieces and realising that life must go on. This is all done through Anne Tyler's usual examination of the minutiae of daily family life and, despite some of the scenes being very emotional and involving young children, she handles it very well, without being too sentimental - although it will definitely have you both laughing and crying. In addition to the well-drawn characters in the family we are also introduced to some of Tyler's wonderful, eccentric minor characters both in the Church of the Second Chance and in the neighbourhood. The scope of Anne Tyler's books is always very narrow - usually family sagas in suburban Baltimore - but this narrow world is perfectly peopled and narrated and it's always a real pleasure to enter her world.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Anne Tyler always manages to make ordinary people's messy lives seem exceptional. There is tragedy and humour in this book,as Ian grows from a naive youth to a wise man. This is my favourite book of hers so far. In contrast to other reviewers, I couldn't put it down.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've read most of Anne Tyler's novels and this remains one of my very favourites. The best books aren't the ones where you can't wait to turn the page but the ones, like this, where you want to linger over and savour every word. No wonder John Updike was a fan of hers, she writes so well.
What is exceptional about her, though, is that she is able to take the lives of "ordinary" people and show how extraordinary they are and bring her characters utterly to life on the page. In fact she shows that there is no such thing as an ordinary person, or an ordinary life. Above all her humanity shines through. She helps us see how important it is to accept others for what they are. Her "heroes" are always flawed but real, struggling like the rest of us to get through life and to remain hopeful.
What is exceptional about her, though, is that she is able to take the lives of "ordinary" people and show how extraordinary they are and bring her characters utterly to life on the page. In fact she shows that there is no such thing as an ordinary person, or an ordinary life. Above all her humanity shines through. She helps us see how important it is to accept others for what they are. Her "heroes" are always flawed but real, struggling like the rest of us to get through life and to remain hopeful.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
scenes from family life covering a 20 year time frame - humorous and...
Ian Bedlow, the Saint Maybe of the title, atones for his part in the death of his brother and sister-in-law by brining up the children who have been orphaned by the deaths. Read more
Published 2 months ago by William Jordan
Compelling. Must-read.
I have read most of the Anne Tyler novels, and personally I would consider this to be one of her best. Read more
Published 7 months ago by H. Petre
not so Saint... but Maybe... :)
Another totally absorbing and fascinating read from Anne Tyler's hand. It seems that in every one of her books I learn something about certain facets of life I didn't even know I... Read more
Published on 22 Sep 2009 by Kiki
Beautiful....
A beautifully written sensitive book, about a family whose life is changed forever by a tragedy. Particulary Ian, whose life and personality are changed almost beyond recognition. Read more
Published on 31 July 2006 by Lisa
My all-time favourite book
... this book is completely absorbing, humerous and if I ever in my life read a better book, I'll be glad. Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2001 by J. Murray
15 YEAR OLD STUDENT WHO LOVED IT
i thought that the author did a great job on this book and I found that it was a book that I couldn't put down because of the tension that unfolded in it
Published on 27 Nov 2000
Really uninteresting...
What struck me most about this book was the lack of tension - dramatic or otherwise. Secondly, there was no detail, for example, I only knew it took place in 1965 because it said... Read more
Published on 18 April 1999
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