A Patchwork Planet

by Anne Tyler
A Patchwork Planet cover
Good Books rating 4.1
Contemporary Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 9366
  • Added: 2025-12-24
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781409022824
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2008-09-04
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Barnaby Gaitlin has hit rock bottom. His ex-wife Natalie left him and their daughter Opal years ago, and he's become the family's black sheep. But when Sophia enters his life, everything seems to change. Can Barnaby shake off his past and embrace a new future? Anne Tyler, a bestselling author with over 8 million books sold worldwide, masterfully crafts a story that takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary. Her insight into the human heart is unparalleled, and her ability to create compelling characters is evident in this captivating tale.

Reviews
Libro Fulltime · 2021-07-20
engaging 4.50

The characters and family dynamics are beautifully portrayed. The protagonist's dedication and compassion are particularly noteworthy.

This review highlights the intricate portrayal of characters and family dynamics, which are central to the story. The reviewer particularly appreciates the protagonist's dedication to his work and his deep compassion for others. They find the narrative engaging and well-crafted, making it a compelling read. The reviewer also notes the humorous elements and the character study that makes the book stand out.

Quick quotes

    The characters and family dynamics are so well drawn.

    I love Barnaby's dedication to his work, his deep compassion for others, and ...

    The narrative is engaging and well-crafted.

Susan Coventry's Blog · Susan Coventry · 2013-12-02
touching 4.00

The exploration of aging and dependence is both touching and humorous. The vignettes of the protagonist's daily life are particularly detailed.

This review focuses on the novel's exploration of aging and dependence, which the reviewer finds both touching and humorous. They appreciate the detailed vignettes of the protagonist's daily life, which add depth to the narrative. The reviewer also notes the character dynamics and the low-level family interactions, making it a compelling read. They find the book to be a warm and engaging escape, suitable for various reading occasions.

Quick quotes

    Tyler explores issues of aging and dependence in a touching way that manages to be both sad and funny.

    The detailed vignettes of Barnaby's daily life add depth to the narrative.

    This story is all about the low level dynamics that exist in all families.

Bookreporter · 1999-02-22
interesting 3.80

The novel presents a quirky character trying to cope with life's imperfections. The dialogue is particularly noteworthy.

This review discusses the novel as a character study of a man named Barnaby Gaitlin, who is trying to navigate a less-than-perfect life. The reviewer appreciates the quirky nature of the character and the well-crafted dialogue. They find the narrative engaging and the character dynamics interesting, making it a worthwhile read. The reviewer also notes the humor and the depth of the character study.

Quick quotes

    Anne Tyler's fourteenth novel presents Barnaby Gaitlin, the latest of her quirky characters trying to cope with a less-than-perfect life.

    Terrific dialog and more laughter than usual in this one.

    A Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler is an interesting little character study of a man called Barnaby.

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