When the family you live with makes you livid, depressed, or even just plain tired, you know it's true what they say, "You can't pick your family, but you have to learn to live with them " Even if that's true, the book, Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler, certainly brings up things that make you wonder, "Do I really have to live with these people?" The book tells the story from a third person omniscient point of view, and each chapter is a well-witten look back on memories of the family's troubles and fun.
When I first picked up the book, I wasn't sure what it would be like. But since I love family dramas and realistic stories, I really enjoyed it. In the book, there are lots of times when Pearl, the mother, loses her temper, or gives up. Her children, though, always pull her through. Jenny, the youngest one, is spunky and pretty. She grows up to be very successful, even though she had very traumatic times with her family when she was growing up. Cody, the eldest, is very rebellious, and puts a strain on the family. Last of the children, Ezra, the middle child, is mommy's favorite. Ezra is kind and gentle. Can you pick out who would be who if it were your family instead of the Tull family?.
Part of the reason this book is so good is that almost anyone, ordinary people like me and you, can relate to the stories. The troubles, emotions, and hardships are something all of us have gone through or will go through, in our lives. I loved the cynical humor the author uses in the book. She does a great job showing the emotions of the characters. Their personalities are well developed, and it feels like you get to know them as real people. To me, that is very important in books. Anne Tyler also does a good job of pulling the reader into the plot, and it's almost like she's sharing her story with you. (It isn't her story, but the way she tells it, it could be.) Their personalities are well developed and it feels like you get to know them.