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French Braid

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French Braid

By: Anne Tyler
Narrated by: Kimberly Farr
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The major new novel from the beloved prize-winning author - a brilliantly perceptive, painfully true and funny journey deep into one family's foibles, from the 1950s right up to the changed world of today.

When the kids are grown and Mercy Garrett gradually moves herself out of the family home, everyone determines not to notice.

Over at her studio, she wants space and silence. She won't allow any family clutter. Not even their cat, Desmond.

Yet it is a clutter of untidy moments that forms the Garretts' family life over the decades, from giving a child a ride to a painstaking Easter lunch, a fateful train journey to an unexpected homecoming.

And it all begins in 1959, with a family holiday to a cabin by a lake. It's the only one the Garretts will ever take, but its effects will ripple through the generations.

©2022 Anne Tyler (P)2022 Penguin Audio Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt Funny Cats

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Critic reviews

"If Anne Tyler isn't the best writer in the world, who is?" (BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour)
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Kimberly Farr’s narration is so warm yet unobtrusive that I was soon drawn completely into this family story. At first I thought the description of the tiniest mundane detail of a scene and the characters’ thoughts and words would make this dull. But Anne Tyler chose just the right scenes to describe like this, so that, much like Mercy’s house portrait paintings in the book, the soul of the family and their story over the years was skilfully and engagingly told. I loved having this family in my life over the last few days.

Absorbing and enchanting family saga

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Anne Tyler keeps getting better and better. Just wonderful. I loved every minute. Highly recommended.

Superb

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Some of her observations literally stopped me in my tracks- walking my dog early in the morning totally consumed by this story. Finding a place to sit, I rewound to listen again, a lump in my throat, marvelling at her ability to get so close to humanity with her gentle story telling.

Anne Tyler does it again

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Love this author, always warm fascinating, human stories. Like a Nora Jones song or an Andrew Wyeth painting. Soft intimate and gentle but with an edge. Why did this person do that? Who is the hero? Is there a hero? The people are real complicated not always likeable but like family loveable

Everyday mysteries of family relationships

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really enjoyed this, delightful story told with Anne Tyler's usual perceptive observations about real people. beautifully read.

engaging

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You just feel at home in the world Anne Tyler creates. Ordinary families, living ordinary lives - you're transported!

Comfort

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Beautiful writing as ever from the queen of characterisation. I especially like the way this spans so many years, which gives it an epic feel.

Wonderful!

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A bit meandering and I lost interest once it got to the grandchildren. She has written better

Not up to usual Anne Tyler standard

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Nothing really happens but it’s a really well observed view of everyday life in a family spanning four generations. I’m just not sure I could tell anyone more than that. Beautifully written parts that make you say “I recognise that feeling” but I’d like to know what the story was about. My apologies to all those who believe it’s a great classic of a novel.
I enjoyed listening and was interested all the way through.

Really well written but not much of a story

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If you like Tyler's novels, do not hesitate, but this one. As expected not so much is going on, people live their lives, bear some petty grudges, misunderstand each other, as it often happens in families.
And eventually, once you finish the book you'll realise that a lot of love has been given.

Another lovely story

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