I like Anne Tyler’s fiction because she has a unique way of looking into her characters’ souls. I hadn’t, however, read her first published novel, If Morning Ever Comes, up to now.

Anne Tyler’s formal education is in Russian literature, and Russian literature shows its shadows in this novel. That Anne Tyler wrote this novel when she was 22 also explains its lack of substance when compared to her later much more dignified and profound work.

The setting of the novel is Sandhill, North Carolina, the main character Ben Joe Hawkes’ home where he has lived with his entire family and has kept worrying about their well-being. At the beginning of the story, Ben Joe, while studying law in Columbia University, learns that his sister Joanne, a wild character, has left her husband and returned home with her baby. Ben Joe leaves for home immediately out of a sense of responsibility, but when he arrives, he finds out that his quirky family does not need him as much. While there, he gets in touch with his late father’s mistress on friendly terms and renews an old relationship with his ex-girlfriend Shelley. At the end, he realizes that his life can be separate from that of his family’s and decides to marry Shelley.

I don’t know why some people called this book funny. Ben Joe’s quirky family was not funny for me but rather annoying, as well as Ben Joe’s wishy-washy indecisive personality. To be fair, however, this is the first novel, and the use of the language and diction is still flawless.

novice writers for they can see how first novels can be deceiving when assessing any writer's talent, as this writer has improved immensely in her later novels.

the main character because he is too much of a weakling inside and he seems to be carried by the events. Even his proposing to his girlfriend was almost involuntary.

disappointed because I loved Ann Tyler's later novels.

Anne Tyler ‘s 11th novel Breathing Lessons won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988, and Digging to America was nominated for the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2007. Her other books are: The Tin Can Tree, A Slipping-Down Life, The Clock Winder, Celestial Navigation, Searching for Caleb, Earthly Possessions, Morgan's Passing, Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, The Accidental Tourist, Breathing Lessons, Saint Maybe, Ladder of Years, A Patchwork Planet, Back When We Were Grownups, The Amateur Marriage, Digging to America, Noah's Compass

it shows, even for a highly talented and accomplished author, how a first novel can be lacking, and yet, is still a good read.

If you are a reader of 19th or early 20th century Russian literature, you'll see the influence of it in this novel.

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Created Feb 04, 2011 at 11:53pm • Submit your own review...