Celestial Navigation

by Anne Tyler
Celestial Navigation cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Contemporary Fiction
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 9367
  • Added: 2025-12-24
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781446419069
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2012-04-10
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Celestial Navigation introduces readers to Jeremy, a painfully shy bachelor who has never ventured beyond the confines of his mother's boarding house. His days are spent creating intricate collages from colored paper, a solitary hobby that fills his quiet life. Everything changes when his mother passes away and Mary Tell, a beautiful and enigmatic woman, arrives to disrupt his carefully constructed world. /n/n Anne Tyler's novel is a rich, revolutionary exploration of the human heart, filled with insight and compassion. Her writing virtuosity shines as she takes the ordinary and makes it sing, delving into the secrets of relationships and personal transformation. With over 8 million books sold worldwide, Tyler's masterful storytelling is celebrated by authors and readers alike, making Celestial Navigation a must-read for those who appreciate literary fiction that resonates deeply.

Reviews
Motherbooker Blog · 2022-11-28
classic 4.00

The novel highlights the noteworthy aspects of seemingly unremarkable people, showcasing Anne Tyler's classic storytelling style.

This review emphasizes how Anne Tyler masterfully transforms ordinary lives into compelling narratives. The characters, though unremarkable at first glance, are portrayed in a way that makes their stories deeply engaging. The reviewer appreciates Tyler's ability to find the extraordinary in the mundane, making this a quintessential Anne Tyler novel. They particularly enjoy how the author brings out the complexity and depth of her characters, making the reader invested in their journeys.

Quick quotes

    Celestial Navigation is a pretty classic Anne Tyler novel.

    It's the story of seemingly unremarkable people that is told in a way to highlight how noteworthy they are.

    Anne Tyler's classic storytelling style shines through.

Libro Fulltime · 2021-03-10
challenging 2.50

The book is well-written but the gloomy tone and difficult characters make it a challenging read.

The reviewer found the book's gloomy atmosphere and difficult characters to be off-putting, yet they were compelled to keep reading due to the well-crafted storytelling. They acknowledge that Anne Tyler's writing is strong, but the overall tone and character development made it a less enjoyable experience. The reviewer appreciates the effort put into the narrative but feels that the emotional weight of the story overshadowed its positive aspects.

Quick quotes

    I think that although I found the book gloomy and the characters difficult to engage with, I kept reading because the story was well written and compelling.

    The gloomy tone and difficult characters made it a challenging read.

    Anne Tyler's writing is strong, but the overall tone and character development made it a less enjoyable experience.

Bridget Schaumann's Blog · 2017-01-12
captivating 4.50

The story is told from multiple points of view, each offering a unique and wonderful perspective.

The reviewer was captivated by the multiple points of view presented in the novel, finding each perspective to be rich and engaging. By the end of the book, they felt a deep connection to the characters, as if they knew them personally. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the narrative, highlighting how each character's story adds layers to the overall plot. They found the book to be a profound and moving experience, showcasing Anne Tyler's skill in character development and storytelling.

Quick quotes

    The story is told from multiple points of view and every one of them is wonderful.

    By the end of the book I felt like I knew these people, that I understood their motivations and struggles.

    Anne Tyler's skill in character development and storytelling shines through.

Appears in Lists