Ever since reading Anne Tyler for the first time - many years ago, in translation - I was charmed by the poignant brevity of the prose. Also a short stories writer, she can convene so much in just few words and sentences. Another thing I love about her books is the ways in which she is seizing the very soul of everyeday America. You will notice less or at all references to daily politics, but normal lives, touch by the historical or technological changes, but not strong enough to completely detour the sense and meaning of the story. This is at least what were my reading experiences until now.
French Braid is her latest, and it follows an inter-generational story of family relationships, estrangement and acknowledging of family roots. All at once, as it usually happens with families.
One of the characters of the book, Greta says: ´This is what families do for each other: hide a few uncomfortable truths, allow a few self-deceptions. Little kindness´. And if any of us will think a bit more about our families, not far from two to three generations, would acknowledge this truth. That´s what happens with families in general, no matter where do you live and what your unique story is.
The family story - brief yet connecting the real dots to create a story that feels very relatable - starts in the 1960s and continues until far away into the Corona pandemics. I may accept that the first installment, set closer to our times, may not feel matching the rest of the story, as we may expect a linear storyline, but sooner we can place the episode within the larger story. Most of the story is set in Baltimore.
´Really, what does this family actually have to do with each other anymore?´ It may happen to any family, as particularly nowadays, the generational mobility is high and we may end up completely different persons as our grandparents and even our parents were. But somehow, the same way as a French braid comes together, we may belong to the same tree, even though looking or feeling differently.
French Braid may answer shortly worries and feeling about what does it mean a family nowadays. How do we relate with people we are related by name or blood, without any other basis for connection. With humour, compassion and kindness, Anne Tyler is putting together a story from the America that relates no matter your geography.
I loved the story and may encourage me to re-connect with my old passion for American literature. This is also an example of empathy for our big bookish family of readers and writers.
Rating: 4 stars
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