I've had the same experience with Anne Tyler. I really love some of her books, but I haven't bothered to buy one of her novels since 'Patchwork Planet,' which was published several years ago. I still read her books, getting them from the library as they come out, in search of a little of her past greatness, but they leave me cold.
If you'd like to read her better novels (at least in my opinion), check out 'The Accidental Tourist' (it was made into a movie with William Hurt and Geena Davis in the 80's, but isn't as good as the book) or my personal favorite of hers, 'Ladder of Years'.
Yes, exactly, like getting a lifetime achievement award. That I can see, like some actors who win the Academy Award for best actor (or whatever) for not *that* great a job, just because the Academy figures they're going to die soon, we better give them an award before they go.
I can't think of any other reason she would have won that award either, but then I've been surprised before by the books that win big awards when I couldn't get through a single chapter. Good thing I'm not a judge for contests like that. :-)
Well she has not yet won this particular award but is on the shortlist of six for it. Still what does go through judge's' minds in these kind of awards? According to a couple of members in our group they felt the shortlist was quite mediocre compared to a few on the long-list but I think this happens every time.
They do seem to always out 1 American in the mix and usually one Canadian though not this year. I still feel my favourite is ' A God in Every Stone' as I am finding 'The Bees' rather silly like a literary 'Bug's Life'
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If you'd like to read her better novels (at least in my opinion), check out 'The Accidental Tourist' (it was made into a movie with William Hurt and Geena Davis in the 80's, but isn't as good as the book) or my personal favorite of hers, 'Ladder of Years'.
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We could not figure why this got short-listed unless in recognition for her body of work.
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I can't think of any other reason she would have won that award either, but then I've been surprised before by the books that win big awards when I couldn't get through a single chapter. Good thing I'm not a judge for contests like that. :-)
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They do seem to always out 1 American in the mix and usually one Canadian though not this year. I still feel my favourite is ' A God in Every Stone' as I am finding 'The Bees' rather silly like a literary 'Bug's Life'
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