Has anyone ever read "The Accidental Tourist" by Anne Tyler?

[ailsagirl]

It was made into an excellent film with William Hurt and
Geena Davis back in the 1980s.

I ask because I love the book so much and was hoping that
Tyler has written other books that are just as good. I tried
to get into "Breathing Lessons" but couldn't.

The irony is, Tyler won the Putlizer for "Breathing Lessons!"

Thanks

[Blue_Tires]

1. i did see the movie n/t

[ailsagirl]

2. The movie is pretty true to the book, only the book explains more

of what's going on in Macon's mind.

Anyway.

[AVulgarianHue]

3. Me!!!

The movie was a wonderful surprise..really captured the quirkiness and the scenes from the novel. The Accidental Tourist is my favourite Anne Tyler book.

Any Tyler is worth reading; the Accidental Tourist is special.

[hfojvt]

4. I seem to remember a Tyler novel

about this old couple driving around, but I cannot remember if I finished it, or what else was involved.

[Zenlitened]

5. "Saint Maybe" is terrific. And "Dinner At the Homesick Restaurant"

... is one of my favorite books of all time. I found both very accessible, very engaging.

[Iris]

9. I enjoyed Saint Maybe but had trouble getting into Dinner at Homesick.

Her writing can be a bit difficult, but worth it if you can get through it.

[2bfree]

6. Loved it as well..........

I have really enjoyed every book of Tyler's I have read, you should try Breathing Lessons again, not the same type of book as The Accidental Tourist but really good just the same.

[AuntieM1957]

7. Anne Tyler is amazing

Macon Leary is one of my all time favorite characters. I adored that book. Read it years before the film was made, and hesitated to watch the film because I knew those characters so well I didn't want to destroy my mental images.

My next favorite of hers is Saint Maybe. Also enjoyed A Slipping Down Life.


If you haven't read Anna Quindlen, I think you'll enjoy her, too.

Blessings is a good start. Quirky Tyler-esque characters.

[ailsagirl]

10. Thanks for your input

I think Hurt did a phenomenal job of acting-- so deft and
subtle. I wonder if Tyler approved of him. It must be difficult
being the writer and seeing your stuff changed around but I
think it was pretty true to the book.

I LOVED the part in the book (and movie) when Rose cooked
the turkey at 140 degrees for hours, then brought it out
("as if in triumph") to the table and it had collapsed but
she was so proud of it. And no one wanted to eat it (it
looked terrible) and she fled the room in tears.

I love the way Tyler took the Leary family and make
them into real people-- how they'd always get lost and
how they wouldn't answer the phone and how they'd play
the card game Vaccination, whose rules were so convoluted
that no one (other than the Learys) could follow them.

:)

[Heidi]

8. It's a wonderful book. "Breathing Lessons" is even better.

Anne Tyler is a fine, fine writer. :thumbsup:

[ailsagirl]

11. She is-- absolutely