fuckthisshit's review against another edition
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
obscuredbyclouds's review against another edition
4.0
Anne Tyler's characters are always weird and eccentric. Sometimes they come across as merely quirky and curmudgeonly, but a few times they are clearly mentally ill. This is the case for the main character in Celestial Navigation: Jeremy Pauling is 38 and doesn't leave the house he lives in with his mother. He is an artist who works in solitude and creates collages of little people snipped from wrapping paper. When his mother dies, he is lost and unsure how to cope all alone. When he takes in a new boarder, Mary Tell and her young daughter, he falls in love with her.
The story is told from different point of views – Jeremy and Mary but also a few others - which worked really well for me. I found some things a little hard to believe (mainly how quickly Mary said yes to Jeremy's marriage proposal) and I didn't necessarily like any of the characters, but I found this novel really absorbing and really well-executed. Some of Anne Tyler's novels are pure comfort reads – this one definitely isn't and I liked it all the better for it. Some parts were very sad and really moving.
The story is told from different point of views – Jeremy and Mary but also a few others - which worked really well for me. I found some things a little hard to believe (mainly how quickly Mary said yes to Jeremy's marriage proposal) and I didn't necessarily like any of the characters, but I found this novel really absorbing and really well-executed. Some of Anne Tyler's novels are pure comfort reads – this one definitely isn't and I liked it all the better for it. Some parts were very sad and really moving.
amandadelbrocco's review
2.0
My least favorite book by Anne so far. The characters were unlikeable which is unusual for her - normally they're oddballs (which is why I love them so) but I really didn't like Jeremy as a character.
suprememummy's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
motherbooker's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Celestial Navigation is a pretty classic Anne Tyler novel. It's the story of seemingly unremarkable people that is told in a way to highlight how noteworthy their lives are. Her strength as a writer is to create interesting and unique characters that also feel real. Her stories tend to focus on outsiders who unashamedly live their lives against the grain. Although, they rarely see themselves as that different. Tyler understands human nature and relationships and it really makes a big difference. You like her characters even when they are doing frustrating things. You want them to succeed and are championing them throughout the story. The main characters of Celestial Navigation are no different.
Jeremy Pauling doesn't like to leave his house. He had previously lived with his mother and created pieces of art in his studio. The only people he regularly had contact with were the boarders who rented rooms in his mother's house. His life is by no means perfect but he gets by. At least, he does until his mother dies and a new tenant, Mary Tell, moves in. Jeremy's life is turned upside down. Jeremy doesn't have a good grasp of normal social interaction and doesn't always make the right choices. He lives inside his own bubble and is too preoccupied with his artistic endeavours. Yet, he falls in love with Mary and the two attempt to build a life together. Will the pair be able to overcome Jeremey's lifestyle and make their family work?
This is one of those bittersweet stories that just draws you in from the start. Jeremy is such a great character and I instantly warmed to him. It is not an opinion shared by everyone, including his oldest sister. However, most people treat him sympathetically. Jeremy has some of the traits commonly associated with autism and is left bereft when his mother dies. He is unable to process the event and do what needs to be done. He is so engrossed in his work that he doesn't even know when his boarders pay their rent. So, it is a huge shock to him when he realises that he is in love with Mary. Even more of a shock when he asks her to marry him. Mary is a beautiful young woman and Jeremy is barely able to look her in the face. Yet the pair somehow come together.
Mary and Jeremy have the makings of a really cute mismatched couple. They are both sweet and really care for each other. However, their relationship is full of complications. Their different natures don't automatically work in harmony and they both have to try really hard to make it work. Celestial Navigation is one of those frustrating books where you have to sit back and watch people make mistakes. Mary and Jeremy aren't great at communicating, which pushes them further apart. This isn't a romanticised view of love but a realistic portrait. These are people who don't do everything right or act like the perfect partner. That is what makes them so engaging. You want the pair to stay together but you also can't see how that can ever happen.
I won't say that this is the best example of Anne Tyler's writing. She's written stronger books with more depth to the story. However, that's not to say it isn't a good book. Her works are far superior to a lot of novels out there. Her writing is effortless and her characters have a lot of dimensions. She makes some interesting decisions in relation to form and structure that give the simple story a bit of added texture. We hear from multiple perspectives and each has a unique voice. This isn't the most Anne Tyler novel out there but there is enough of her here to make it work. If you're interested in character studies that are a little depressing at times then this is a must-read. I'm very glad I read it.
portcitykt's review against another edition
1.0
I’ve always enjoyed Anne Tyler’s characters but this was so sad and so dysfunctional I don’t know why I pushed on to finish it. I kept hoping there would be a ray of hope, something to save these poor souls but no.
traceymc's review against another edition
I read this when I was much younger. Upon reread, it's really dull, with characters I don't care about. As I don't even have the motivation of wanting to find out how it ends, I'm going to cut my losses here.
cheriekg's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read Anne Tyler in many years and I'd forgotten two things: 1) how she loves a stagnant, constantly perplexed male character and 2) how she can break your heart slowly and gently. I took away one star just because Jeremy was so tentative he was unrealistic. I mean, I've met dryer lint with stronger personalities. But the writing was lovely as always and the undertone was just the right amount of sad.
deniset's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0