A Slipping-Down Life

by Anne Tyler
A Slipping-Down Life cover
Good Books rating 3.5
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  • ID: 9365
  • Added: 2025-12-24
  • Updated: 2025-12-24
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
Sam Still Reading · Sam · 2025-01-28
good 3.00

A Slipping-Down Life is one of Anne Tyler's early novels and while it's good, it doesn't quite reach the level of her best work. The characters are well-drawn, but the story lacks the depth and complexity found in her later novels.

Sam from Sam Still Reading delves into Anne Tyler's early work, A Slipping-Down Life, and finds it to be a solid but not outstanding novel. They appreciate Tyler's skill in creating vivid characters, particularly Evie Decker, a shy and lonely teenager. The dialogue is sharp, and the characters feel authentic. However, they note that the story feels a bit thin compared to Tyler's later works. The plot is straightforward, and the ending is somewhat predictable, which leaves them feeling a bit underwhelmed. Overall, it's a good read but not a great one.

Quick quotes

    A Slipping-Down Life isn't Anne Tyler's best work.

    It's one of her early novels and although it's good, it hasn't quite reached the level of her more mature novels.

    The characters are well-drawn, but the story lacks the depth and complexity found in her later works.

The Content Reader · 2021-02-15
interesting 3.50

The reviewer finds it interesting that the character who is supposed to be going places ends up being the one who moves forward. The story has a stilted pace, but the characters are engaging.

The Content Reader finds A Slipping-Down Life to be an intriguing read, particularly for its character dynamics. They are fascinated by the reversal of expectations, where the character who seems destined for greatness ends up stagnant, while the seemingly ordinary character finds growth and movement. The pacing of the story is a bit uneven, which they find a bit jarring, but the characters are compelling enough to keep them engaged. They appreciate Tyler's ability to create complex and relatable characters, even if the plot isn't perfectly paced.

Quick quotes

    It's so interesting that he is the one who is supposed to be going places and she is stuck, but in the end, she's the one who moves forward.

    The stilted pace of the overall story felt a bit off.

    The characters are engaging and well-drawn, making the read worthwhile despite the pacing issues.

Sue's Book Reviews · Sue · 2006-05-18
excellent 4.00

The reviewer praises Tyler's eye for detail and her ability to portray incidents with a touch of irony. The story is engaging and well-told, with a focus on character development.

Sue from Sue's Book Reviews is impressed with Anne Tyler's A Slipping-Down Life. She highlights Tyler's exceptional ability to capture details and infuse her storytelling with a subtle irony that makes the narrative engaging. Sue particularly enjoys the character development, finding the characters to be multi-dimensional and relatable. The story is well-paced and the ending is satisfying, leaving her with a sense of having read a well-crafted and thought-provoking novel. She appreciates Tyler's skill in portraying the complexities of human relationships and the nuances of personal growth.

Quick quotes

    She has an amazing eye for detail, and a great gift in portraying incidents with a touch of irony.

    The story is engaging and well-told, with a focus on character development.

    The ending is satisfying, leaving a sense of having read a well-crafted and thought-provoking novel.

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