Back When We Were Grownups – Anne Tyler

Ms. Tyler is a favorite author, having written classic novels like Breathing Lessons and The Accidental Tourist. Surprisingly, I had missed this 2001 novel and reading it now was just a joy. Rebecca is a 53-year-old widowed woman living in a Baltimore row house where the ground floor is used as a venue for parties. She is part of a large fractious family with one biological daughter, three stepdaughters, and a host of other relatives. Much of the story consists of poignant musings on a might-have-been existence. The language, as always, is exquisite (“newborn infants looking like wrapped burritos”, page 143), and the story culminates in an extraordinary birthday party for a 100-year-old family member that is must-read. Tyer’s writing is funny, sad and intelligent.