Last Updated on May 31, 2022
Resident Ellyn Loy will review French Braid: A Novel by Anne Tyler on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 7 PM in the Auditorium.
In her 24th novel Anne Tyler introduces us to the Garrett family. From Robin and Mercy in their eighties, to Ben, their toddler great-grandson, we glimpse the intergenerational impact of family patterns. Individual family members are presented every decade between 1959 and 2020.
Ordinary people living in Baltimore have been the subject of all of Tyler’s novels. Having lived in the city for over 50 years, the author takes her readers on familiar tours of its neighborhoods, noting changes throughout the decades
While highlighting unique, quirky characters, the author conveys universal experiences, such as faulty family communication, sibling conflict, establishing autonomy and the tenacity of family bonds. Dialogue, as much as description, carries the loose plot.
Low-key drama is a hallmark of Tyler’s writing. This story crescendos in two typical family events, decades apart. An early family vacation at Deep Creek Lake and an anniversary celebration years later provide unexpected tensions that persist for years to come.
Join us for further review and discussion!
Anne Tyler, bestselling author, was awarded the 1989 Pulitzer Prize for Breathing Lessons.
Resident Ellyn Loy is a retired Clinical Social Worker and avid reader, who is very familiar with Baltimore.