Clock Dance by Anne Tyler

“Clock Dance” by Anne Tyler is a poignant and insightful novel that explores the nature of family, identity, and belonging. The book follows the life of Willa Drake, a woman who has spent her life trying to please others and conform to their expectations.

The story is divided into four sections, each one marking a significant turning point in Willa’s life. The first section takes place in 1967, when Willa is 11 years old and living with her mother and younger sister in Pennsylvania. The second section jumps ahead to 1977, when Willa is a college student in Arizona. The third section takes place in 1997, when Willa is a married mother of two in Maryland. Finally, the fourth section takes place in 2017, when Willa is in her sixties and living in Arizona again, this time as a widow.

Throughout the novel, Tyler explores the themes of family, identity, and belonging in a subtle and nuanced way. Willa’s journey from a young girl who is desperate for her mother’s approval to a mature woman who is confident in her own choices and identity is both moving and relatable.

The characters in the novel are well-drawn and multi-dimensional, each with their own strengths and flaws. Willa’s interactions with her mother, her husband, her children, and the various people she meets along the way are all handled with sensitivity and insight.

Overall, “Clock Dance” is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that will appeal to anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world. Tyler’s prose is elegant and understated, and her characters are so fully realized that they feel like real people. This is a book that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page.