37 pages • 1 hour read
Dinner At The Homesick Restaurant
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Book Brief
303
Novel • Fiction
Baltimore, Maryland • 1940s-1970s
1982
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler follows Pearl Tull as she reflects on her life from her deathbed, including her marriage to Beck Tull, who left her in 1944, and her challenging solo parenting of her three children—Cody, Ezra, and Jenny—each of whom deals with their own personal and familial struggles over the years. The novel highlights issues of abandonment, resentment, family dynamics, and reconciliation.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
36,859 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Anne Tyler's Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant delves into the complexities of familial relationships with poignant, richly drawn characters. Critics praise its intricate depiction of a family grappling with inner turmoil and the passage of time. However, some find the narrative pacing slow and the melancholy tone overwhelming. Overall, it remains a compelling exploration of human fragility.
Who Should Read Dinner At The Homesick Restaurant?
Readers who enjoy character-driven narratives examining family dynamics will appreciate Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler. Those who liked The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen or The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy may find similar satisfaction in Tyler's poignant exploration of complex relationships and personal resilience.
36,859 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Cody Tull
Cody Tull
Cody is the eldest son who grows distant from the family and experiences internal struggles stemming from his father's departure. His competitive nature and rivalry with his brother Ezra influence many of his life choices.
Ezra Tull
Ezra Tull
Ezra is Pearl's introverted and emotionally intelligent son who becomes the target of Cody's bullying. Despite challenges, he maintains a forgiving nature and aspires to bring the family together.
303
Novel • Fiction
Baltimore, Maryland • 1940s-1970s
1982
Adult
18+ years
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