Clock Dance

A Novel

By: Anne Tyler

Narrated by: Kimberly Farr

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

National best seller!

Top 10 book of the year for USA Today.

One of the best books of the year: O Magazine, Christian Science Monitor, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, The Times (London).

A charming new novel of self-discovery and second chances from the best-selling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Spool of Blue Thread.

Willa Drake can count on one hand the defining moments of her life. In 1967, she is a schoolgirl coping with her mother's sudden disappearance. In 1977, she is a college coed considering a marriage proposal. In 1997, she is a young widow trying to piece her life back together. And in 2017, she yearns to be a grandmother but isn't sure she ever will be. Then, one day, Willa receives a startling phone call from a stranger. Without fully understanding why, she flies across the country to Baltimore to look after a young woman she's never met, her nine-year-old daughter, and their dog, Airplane. This impulsive decision will lead Willa into uncharted territory - surrounded by eccentric neighbors who treat each other like family, she finds solace and fulfillment in unexpected places.

A bewitching novel of hope and transformation, Clock Dance gives us Anne Tyler at the height of her powers.

©2018 Anne Tyler (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Tyler’s characteristic warmth and affection for her characters are engaging as ever... [They are] all vibrantly portrayed with her usual low-key gusto and bracingly dark humor... Power dynamics are never simple in Tyler’s portraits of marriage.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Clock Dance pulls you right in and keeps on ticking... Filled with Tyler’s wry perspective on appealingly quirky, so-called ordinary people... Once again, she throws light on the human condition... Her novels reassure us that the possibilities for meaningful connection - which so often seem lost in our hectic world - are still out there.” (Newsday)

“A delightfully zany premise... Most charming of all is Cheryl, the hilariously precocious 9-year-old who wears majorette boots... A tender novel.” (Washington Post)

Not one if Anne Tyler’s best

I have always loved Anne Tyler’s books and have read about everything she’s written. This book seemed to lack the depth of her others.

There were no characters you could care about except perhaps the 9 year old girl caught in the middle of a world of adrift adults. There were a lot of unnecessary details that just seemed like padding. I don’t need to know over and over that she brushed her teeth.

The narrator sounded like she should be reading to children.

Classic Anne Tyler but...

The heroine, Wiila, reminds me of Ladder of Years, but Tyler now creates a different character for a different time.

Never have I imagined a more passive woman.

I enjoyed the early portions of this book. Those parts examine the main character's childhood and motherhood during an unexpected loss. All of this felt real and relatable , but was only 1/4 of the book. Then, the majority of the book is devoted to the most passive woman ever imagined! I detested her "get run over " attitude and willingness to be taken advantage of in a near constant fashion. I continued reading hoping there would be a meaning to the relationships we spent so much time looking in on. There was no meaning. Our character just passively moved out of the story and into my past.

The best this year

I wish I could give this a 100 rating. I’ve read all her books and this is the best

Clock Dance

Once again, Anne Tyler's writing and character development does not disappoint! This is the story about a mom whose grown children no longer need her. She does not want to witter away her retirement years in leisure activities, but she longs to feel she still has a place of purpose in this world. This is a story about her struggle to honor the people she loves, but to honor herself as well. This book is about her quest to live a life that still matters. I loved it.

Very enjoyable!

One of my favorite Anne Tyler books. Very warm and uplifting. A good read that I needed right now.

Recommended character study

Anne Tyler is a great author for those (like me) who enjoy psychological realism. And I love her crisp writing style. Although the protagonist, a late middle-aged married woman, did become just a tad irritating during the second half of the novel, I found it hard to stop listening until the story ended,

Ok read but could’ve been much better

Story was OK but really it’s just the chronological events in the day as the main character helps someone. Author easily could’ve done more interesting things with the characters and more about the emotions than just a day by day events

Ignore comments about narrators children’s voice

I loved this story, and I thought the children’s voices were great. I hate when children’s voices are overdone and high pitched by other narrators. The story was interesting and engaging.

Good, not great

Really enjoyed this book but I have listened to so many outstanding books this year, I rate this one as good.