The Accidental Tourist - Anne Tyler

Like a lot of Anne Tyler's novels, this is about someone who is emotionally constipated and out of touch finally getting back in touch with the world despite all the odds, just when you and everyone else has given up on them ('Patchwork Planet' and 'Saint Maybe' are just the same). But also, like a lot of Anne Tyler's novels, this is just a beautiful novel. It's slow and gentle, and the wit is very dry, but the gradual (very gradual) warming up of travel writer Macon Leary after a stunted marriage and the death of his son by meeting a gawky and occasionally irritating dog trainer is one of the most compelling stories that you could ...  Read the complete review

I had not until recently, read any of Anne Tyler books, but this one I really enjoyed reading and thought I would share my opinion with you. WHAT’S THE STORY ? Well it’s about a couple, called Macon and Sarah, who lost their twelve year old son Ethan, who was murdered in a burger bar hold up in a summer camp. Since his death, Marcon has retreated into a life of rituals and habits and Sarah has desperately sought ways to express her anger and grief at losing her son. Sarah decides to leave Macon and he drifts into an affair with a lady named Muriel, who is dizzy dog-kennel owner, who tries to turn the stability of his ordered life around. ...  Read the complete review

Anne Tyler is an Americal novelist who has won critical acclaim for her story writing. A lot of her writing is about the loneliness and isolation of middle-class people living in disunited families. The Accidental Tourist won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1986 and was made into a film in 1988 starring William Hurt, Geena Davis and Kathlyn Turner. Synopsis: Macon spends most of his time in planes. He visits hotels around the world and writes travel books for the travel-hating businessman who wants to find home from home comfort. He has to cope with the chaos of everyday life after his only son is murdered and his ...  Read the complete review

The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler This book was written in 1985 and it won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction. Then in 1988 the book was adapted for a film which starred William Hurt, Kathleen Turner and Geena Davis. The story is set in Baltimore, Maryland and the story centres on Macon Leary who is a Travel Guide writer. His son had been killed in a shooting incident at a fast food restaurant. Sarah his wife and Macon were coping with the loss of their son separately and there marriage was under the strain of collapsing. Eventually Sarah did leave. Macon had a fall and became unable to look after himself so he stayed ...  Read the complete review