Breathing Lessons

by Anne Tyler
Breathing Lessons cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Contemporary Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 8346
  • Added: 2025-12-21
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781446426777
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2012-04-10
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Meet Maggie Moran, a woman nearing fifty, married with two children, whose life takes an unexpected turn during a summer day trip to a funeral. As she and her husband drive from Baltimore to Deer Lick, their journey becomes a series of detours into the lives of old friends and grown children. Maggie's eternal optimism and her passion for sorting out other people's lives are severely tested, leading to a profound exploration of love, relationships, and the complexities of human nature. /n/n Anne Tyler, a master of contemporary fiction, has sold over 8 million books worldwide. Her ability to take the ordinary and make it sing has earned her praise from renowned authors like Rachel Joyce, Monica Ali, and Sebastian Faulks. This novel is a testament to Tyler's skill in capturing the intricacies of human relationships and the secrets of the heart.

Reviews
All the Vintage Ladies · Christine · 2022-07-26
entertaining 3.50

The novel is entertaining due to its funny, unpredictable, and endearing characterizations. It took a long time to read, but it was worth the investment.

Christine from All the Vintage Ladies found Breathing Lessons to be truly entertaining, thanks to Anne Tyler's funny, unpredictable, and endearing characterizations. She appreciated the depth and complexity of the characters, which made the story engaging and enjoyable. Although it took her a long time to read, she felt that the investment was worth it. The novel's blend of humor and warmth makes it a delightful read, and the characters' quirks and interactions add to its charm.

Quick quotes

    Anne Tyler's funny, unpredictable and endearing characterizations make Breathing Lessons truly entertaining.

    It took me a long time to read, but it was worth the investment.

    The novel's blend of humor and warmth makes it a delightful read.

Bvitelli2002's Blog · Bvitelli2002 · 2022-04-26
enjoyable 3.50

The book is enjoyed for its realistic portrayal of flawed characters, but it seems to lack depth in certain areas. The narrative is engaging and easy to read.

Bvitelli2002 found Breathing Lessons to be a very readable book, primarily because of Anne Tyler's skill in describing real people with all their flaws. They appreciated the narrative's engaging quality and the ease with which the story unfolds. However, they also noted that the book seems to lack depth in certain areas, which might leave some readers wanting more. The realistic portrayal of characters makes the story relatable and enjoyable, but there's a sense that the plot could have been more substantial.

Quick quotes

    I enjoyed this very readable book because of how Tyler describes real people, full of flaws.

    The one thing I would say, though, is that it seems to lack depth in certain areas.

    The narrative is engaging and easy to read.

The Guardian · 2015-07-20
compelling 4.00

The novel excels in its portrayal of a middle-aged marriage, showcasing Tyler's narrative clarity and comic timing. It is a poignant and humorous exploration of relationships.

The Guardian's review highlights Anne Tyler's exceptional ability to portray a middle-aged, mid-American marriage with clarity and humor. The narrative is praised for its comic timing and the author's keen ear for American speech. The review suggests that Breathing Lessons is a poignant and humorous exploration of relationships, making it a compelling read. The characters and their interactions are depicted with such authenticity that readers can easily relate to their experiences and emotions.

Quick quotes

    Anne Tyler's portrayal of a middle-aged, mid-American marriage displays her narrative clarity, comic timing and ear for American speech to perfection.

    It is a poignant and humorous exploration of relationships.

    The characters and their interactions are depicted with such authenticity that readers can easily relate to their experiences and emotions.

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