Cynthia's review
Back When We Were Grownups
by Anne Tyler
Cynthia's review
Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler
Cynthia's review
rating:
Probably one of the most memorable openings, "Once upon a time, there was a woman who discovered she had turned into the wrong person," I've read in a long time. Yet I didn't feel the novel lived up to the full potential of this opening sentence. I kept expecting Rebecca to go through some life changes, to be happier in the end. A new job, interest, travel, friends, love, whatever...instead she just concentrates on love--her first boyfriend Will. But the novel doesn't even continue in this direction.
Rebecca had a lot of interesting thoughts and emotions but she never put that into any kind of action and that's what made her a boring character. A doormat to her daughters for babysitting, organizing parties/dinners, complaints and insults --I kept expecting Rebecca to at least throw one revolt against them or her children to thank her, smile at her, or at the very least give her some kind of loving, appreciative glance. And poor Will...so dull you almost felt sorry for him...more
Rebecca had a lot of interesting thoughts and emotions but she never put that into any kind of action and that's what made her a boring character. A doormat to her daughters for babysitting, organizing parties/dinners, complaints and insults --I kept expecting Rebecca to at least throw one revolt against them or her children to thank her, smile at her, or at the very least give her some kind of loving, appreciative glance. And poor Will...so dull you almost felt sorry for him...more
