The group agreed that Anne Tyler, while being obtuse, is a master of characterizations and relationship nuance. We discussed in great detail aspects of protagonist Willa’s quirky new family-of-choice as opposed to her family-of-origin, which is the crux of the story. Why does she choose to live among these strangers? Willa’s bi-polar mother, Gandhi-like father, closed-off sister, and two husbands never properly nurtured her, so didn’t she have to find a different tribe? With this novel, readers of Anne Tyler will recognize people choosing to love the wrong people, the bumpy ride, and dialogue that would thrive in a movie version.

The Federation Book Club meets via Zoom at 4:00 PM on the first Thursdays of every month.

• January 5: Three Ordinary Girls, non-fiction by Time Brady

• February 2: Horse, novel by Geraldine Brooks

• March 2: The Clockmaker’s Daughter, novel by Kate Morton