A New York Times best-selling novel of self-discovery and second chances from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Redhead by the Side of the Road Willa Drake has had three opportunities to start her life over: in 1967, as a schoolgirl whose mother has suddenly disappeared; in 1977, when considering a marriage proposal; and in 1997, as a young widow trying to hold her family together. So she is … trying to hold her family together. So she is surprised when in 2017 she is given one last chance to change everything, after receiving a startling phone call from a stranger.
Without fully understanding why, she flies across the country to Baltimore to help a young woman she’s never met. This impulsive decision, maybe the first one she’s consciously made in her life, 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.
One of the Best Books of the Year: O, The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, The Christian Science Monitor
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The woman can do no wrong. She is nothing short of a national treasure. No one can write about childhood with as much poignancy and insight.
It was very believable. Cheryl was mature beyond her years. Felt sorry for Willa–her husband seemed selfish. Loved the neighborhood dynamic–there was quite a variety of interesting characters–also a lot of humor. An enjoyable read!
I’m a long-time fan of Anne Tyler, so when I saw that she had a new book out, I was thrilled. The reviews were wonderful. “Delightfully zany,” said the Washington Post. “Inspired grace of her prose,” said USA Today. “As comforting as home,” said the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
I agree with the last. Clock Dance was comforting. But comforting can also be slow. Willa Drake, Tyler’s protagonist, is oddly simplistic in the way she thinks, talks, and acts. This adds to a lack of urgency in the book. There are flashbacks at the start, lots of filling in about the heroine’s past, with Willa going along, going along, going along. It was only when the present kicked in that I came to feel that Willa was someone to admire.
The premise is simple. Woman leads a pleasant enough life, but one that lacks fulfillment, until she makes a spur-of-the-moment decision to fly cross country to care for a woman her son used to date. That woman has a daughter, a dog, and a neighborhood of warm, caring friends with whom Willa bonds – all the while juggling the needs of her increasingly disgruntled second husband.
I love reading about a good-hearted person, and Willa Drake is that. Attuned to satisfying the needs of other, she too often ignores her own needs. Sound familiar? It did to me. Aren’t many women like this? In time, she has a gentle awakening, at which point I pushed a slow fist in the air.
There is nothing suspenseful or riveting or edge-of-the-chair tense about this book. Like a savory stew, it cooks for a long time, developing an increasingly pleasant scent, before finally serving up a satisfying meal.
I have always enjoyed her Books from the first to the present, her characters unforgettible loving and many
Disfunctional but always so appreciated and loved by my totally emmersed experience of yet another
Precious gem from
Her prolific
Pen. Fully enjoyed A Spool of Blue Thread also.
Anne Tyler is one of the finest American novelists ever. No one has a more astute understanding of human nature than she does. A novelist must be observant of even the tiniest things in a character or setting and she is an expert. Clock Dance continues Tyler’s mastery of describing the human condition with warmth and especially humor. I admit that because I’m from Baltimore, I enjoy her descriptions of her settings in that city.
Once again, Anne Tyler has brilliantly created a mundane world and made it shine. Her characters are quirky and lovable — even when they make unexpected decisions. Like Willa in Clock Dance, who flies from Arizona to Baltimore to care for her son’s ex-girl friend. This is not normal, but I think most of us long for an adventure, and Tyler never fails to take us there. Not up Everest or to Bora Bora but to plausible settings where we vicariously live through her characters. We could be Willa. Or Ben, or Denise. We feel comfortable wearing their slippers and sitting on their porches and in their kitchens. …I’ve read all of Tyler and anticipate each one of her books. At one time, some years ago, she announced that she was done. My heart sank. She surprised us again. She’s back, and better than ever.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is a good book by Anne Tyler about a woman who seems to not really know what she wants to do with her life. This is broken up into several parts, each a significant part in her life. You learn about when she gets engaged, when her husband dies, and when she seems to come into her own. This was a quick read and I enjoyed it. This was a great summer read.
Anne Tyler’s delightful novel, Clock Dance, takes us from 1967 to 2017, from Willa Drake’s elementary school days to widowhood, and on to her second marriage to Peter.
Willa receives a startling telephone call from a stranger asking if she can come to Baltimore to help a young woman she’s never met. Her husband Peter balks. Fly all the way from Arizona to Maryland to help a perfect stranger? It’s ridiculous. But, Willa counters, the woman is her son’s ex-girlfriend who is laid up and she needs help caring for her daughter. It’s just until the woman gets back on her feet.
Peter and Willa fly to Baltimore, Peter dragging his feet. Although retired, it seems almost everything Peter does is more important than anything Willa undertakes. And he’s used to getting his own way. They manage to help get the mother and daughter through the early days, but then Peter is ready to leave. To Peter’s disgust, Willa stays. She can’t leave in good conscience. She feels needed and, for the first time in years, finds contentment. The neighborhood is rundown, but the eccentric residents are caring and helpful. Willa becomes involved and finds unexpected fulfilment.
Clock Dance touched my heart. I believe most women will rediscover long-buried truths in Willa’s story about hope and transformation. I highly recommend this heart-felt novel.
I usually like this author but I did not like this book at all.
Found myself hoping the book would get better but disappointed overall. Characters and plot were not believable.
Anne Tyler has one story to tell, and she tells it over and over. It’s a story about women who find themselves adrift, slightly out of step, disconnected from their families in ways that puzzle them but that they can’t fix, until one day….
And that’s this book. I loved absolutely as much as I’ve loved every Anne Tyler novel. They’re all beautifully written, tender, and heartfelt. They will make you think about your mother, your daughter, your best friend, the aunt you’ve lost touch with. They’re strangely absorbing–I get as wrapped up in an Anne Tyler novel as I would a PD James mystery–and impossible to put down.
If you love Anne Tyler, you’ll love this one.
I hadn’t read anything by my old favorite, Anne Tyler, for a while, and I’m no fan of giant cacti, but the large print edition on the library shelf called out to me and my tired eyes anyway. She’s SO GOOD. I read with such admiration for her character-building, her scene-setting, her just-enough description, her believable dialogue, and her clear-eyed conviction about what matters. Her understated scene comedy is a delight. She needs to chill on using “caroled” as a dialogue tag (once is enough), but that’s the only critique I have to offer. Highly recommended.
I love Anne Tyler, and in this novel she is up to her usual high standards. As always, she is at her best when writing about those eccentric, quirky Baltimore natives with her usual compassion and humanity. She writes so fluidly that one might think her books are simple but don’t make that mistake. This is a highly skilled writer at the height of her skills.
Anne Tyler has been a favorite comfort-read of mine for decades. She never disappoints. Like sex and chocolate, even when she’s so-so, she’s still good (and worth savoring). Her humanity, her flawed-but-lovable characters, and her finger on the pulse of what matters in life is what keeps me coming back to her again and again. Clock Dance proves that, even after many, many novels, Tyler still has mastery of her unique storytelling magic. Highly recommended.
Willa has had three opportunities to start her life over: in 1967 as a schoolgirl, whose mother suddenly disappeared; in 1977, when considering a marriage proposal; and in 1997 as a young mother trying to hold her family together. She is surprised in 2017 when, after receiving a startling phone call, she gets one last chance to change everything. – This is a great book about a woman who lives most of her life doing what others think she should do. I loved Willa’s character and found her relatable
Great writing as always.
“Clock Dance” by Anne Tyler
“Clock Dance” draws you in and keeps you wanting more. After the last page, I sighed as it ended. Willa will stay with me. Her transformations through the book are memorable. 5 Stars, without a doubt!-Green Gables Book Reviews
“Clock Dance” by Anne Taylor is a book about Willa Drake’s life. Willa is kind to everyone, to a fault, always putting others needs before her own.
Readers follow Willa throughout her life, living at home with her parents and sister, trying to keep her unpredictable Mother from getting upset. Then, a short time later into her marriage during college, when she lost her own dreams while being a wife and Mom, then, sadly as a widow. Several years later, Willa is married again and wishing for the chance of being a Grandmother.
When an unexpected phone call comes, Willa jumps at the chance to help a stranger. Peter, her husband comes with her, and as Willa starts to find some joy, Peter grumbles. Willa finds her own voice and stays on longer than Peter wants her to because she feels she is still needed. Feeling needed is what Willa needs.
In “Clock Dance” Willa’s inner thoughts are shared throughout the book and it is so refreshing! We all think the thoughts we cannot say, but in this book, a reader can see how valuable those thoughts can be! Willa is wonderful. Definitely on my list of favorite characters!-Green Gables Book Reviews
Ann Tyler is my all time favorite author. I wait with bated breath for her next book. Not this one. It started nicely – very Ann-ish. Then it turned to everyday women’s literature. I was extremely disappointed. Gosh. I hope she isn’t losing it.
Anne Tyler never fails to write great stories that always include some quirky characters. Absolutely a great writer you can always count on.
The book kept my attention, but was strange and sad but not all of it. It also ended with a ????? in my head and also feel the main character needed some backbone. I expected more.