
The Accidental Tourist
by Anne Tyler | Literature & Fiction | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: 0425092917 Global Overview for this book
ISBN: 0425092917 Global Overview for this book
2 journalers for this copy...

From Library Journal
Scarred by grief after their 12-year-old son's senseless murder (he was shot by a holdup man in a Burger Bonanza), Macon and Sarah Leary are losing their marriage too. Macon is unable to cope when she leaves him, so he settles down ``safe among the people he'd started out with,' moving back home with two divorced brothers and spinster sister Rose. Author of a series of guidebooks called ``Accidental Tourist' for businessmen who hate to travel, Macon is Tyler's focus here, as she gently chronicles his journey from lonely self-absorption to an ``accidental' new life with brassy Muriel, a dog trainer from the Meow Bow Animal Hospital, who renews and claims his heart. Not a character, including Macon's dog Edward, is untouched by delightful eccentricity in this charming story, full of surprises and wisdom. All of Tyler's novels are wonderful; this is the best yet. BOMC main selection. Janet Wiehe, P.L. of Cincinnati & Hamilton Cty.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.
When The Accidental Tourist was published in 1985, Anne Tyler was already a well-established and successful author. Her tenth novel soon became a bestseller and won the National Book Critics Circle Award. Most reviewers consider this to be her best work. The novel has also been made into a successful film starring William Hurt and Kathleen Turner. As in many of her previous works, The Accidental Tourist focuses on the complexities of family relationships. In this story, middle-aged travel writer Macon Leary finds himself alone and miserable after his son is murdered and his wife leaves him. As a result, he realizes that he is in danger of becoming "a dried up kernel of a man that nothing real penetrates." During the course of the novel, however, Macon confronts his suffering and carves out a new life for himself with the help of an energetic and eccentric young woman and her son. Tyler's intermingling of comedy and tragedy results in a bittersweet tale of loss and recovery. Critics applaud the novel's lovingly drawn and compelling characters and Tyler's insight into the complex inner workings of the American family.
Scarred by grief after their 12-year-old son's senseless murder (he was shot by a holdup man in a Burger Bonanza), Macon and Sarah Leary are losing their marriage too. Macon is unable to cope when she leaves him, so he settles down ``safe among the people he'd started out with,' moving back home with two divorced brothers and spinster sister Rose. Author of a series of guidebooks called ``Accidental Tourist' for businessmen who hate to travel, Macon is Tyler's focus here, as she gently chronicles his journey from lonely self-absorption to an ``accidental' new life with brassy Muriel, a dog trainer from the Meow Bow Animal Hospital, who renews and claims his heart. Not a character, including Macon's dog Edward, is untouched by delightful eccentricity in this charming story, full of surprises and wisdom. All of Tyler's novels are wonderful; this is the best yet. BOMC main selection. Janet Wiehe, P.L. of Cincinnati & Hamilton Cty.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.
When The Accidental Tourist was published in 1985, Anne Tyler was already a well-established and successful author. Her tenth novel soon became a bestseller and won the National Book Critics Circle Award. Most reviewers consider this to be her best work. The novel has also been made into a successful film starring William Hurt and Kathleen Turner. As in many of her previous works, The Accidental Tourist focuses on the complexities of family relationships. In this story, middle-aged travel writer Macon Leary finds himself alone and miserable after his son is murdered and his wife leaves him. As a result, he realizes that he is in danger of becoming "a dried up kernel of a man that nothing real penetrates." During the course of the novel, however, Macon confronts his suffering and carves out a new life for himself with the help of an energetic and eccentric young woman and her son. Tyler's intermingling of comedy and tragedy results in a bittersweet tale of loss and recovery. Critics applaud the novel's lovingly drawn and compelling characters and Tyler's insight into the complex inner workings of the American family.

I finally got around to reading this book which has been on my TBR stack forever. I wanted to see the movie first; otherwise I'd spend my time picking apart the movie instead of enjoying it. I loved Geena Davis as Muriel, but I digress. I like Anne Tyler's writing very much; she always does a fantastic job with her characters. Even when you're shaking your head wondering why someone would do something like that they're still very real and believable. The story was a good one as well, dealing with the loss of Macon's marriage and how he chose to handle it or rather not handle it. He runs away to his sister who is already putting her life on the back burner to care for his two brothers. Muriel the flighty dog trainer steps in to help him with his unmanageable dog, but ends up showing Macon how to live. Ultimately he has to make the choice between the new and the old, and this novel explores how he comes to the decision that is right for him.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Bringing to the Bookcrossers Meetup at the Panera Bread on Bee Caves.
Bringing to the Bookcrossers Meetup at the Panera Bread on Bee Caves.

Grabbed this one from the meeting... not sure when I'll get to it, hopefully in the Winter/Spring.

Journal Entry 5 by candieb at Triumph Cafe OBCZ -3808 Spicewood Springs Rd in Austin, Texas USA on Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (3/10/2009 UTC) at Triumph Cafe OBCZ -3808 Spicewood Springs Rd in Austin, Texas USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Bringing to the meetup tonight at 7pm. If no one wants it, I'll leave it on the shelf.
Bringing to the meetup tonight at 7pm. If no one wants it, I'll leave it on the shelf.