The Optimist's Daughter

On its face, this is a "little book," not only because it is short in length, but because its written in simple prose, straightforward language, and tells a bittersweet, simple story. But don't be fooled; beneath the surface lies a swirling tale of frustration and betrayal. Blink, and you will miss it. I did. On my second slower reading, I found layers in the layers, resentments and disappointments, flashes of anger and bitterness-even among friends, families and lovers.Through the telling of this simple tale, the author pursues various themes, using character study, plot development, symbols (birds, flowers, and other household objects). Very few insights are given in a straightforward, declarative manner, but are unfolded slowly, in independent presentations, to which the reader gives weight by finding connections.For example, one of the larger themes the author pursues is the way love and interdependence intertwine. In that regard, the author writes: "But Laurel had kept the pigeons under eye in their pigeon house and had already seen a pair of them sticking their beaks down each other's throats, gagging each other, eating out of each other's craws, swallowing down all over again what had been swallowed before...They convinced her that they could not escape each other and could not themselves be escaped from."Later in the novel, she revisits this theme describing how Laurel's mother, on her death bed, angrily confronted her husband's inability to "see" her pain and frustration (which the mother refers to as "her betrayal") by calling him a coward--but simultaneously and steadfastly clinging to his hands, and refusing to let go.Among other themes, as the title suggests, the author explores the notion of optimism, with the converse for the author, not being pessimism, but being realistic--the strength to face life and go on, even with its pains and difficulties. In that regard, the author writes, "But he was not an optimist--she knew that. Phil had learned everything he could manage to learn, and done as much as he had time for, to design houses to stand, to last, to be lived in; but he had known they could equally well, with the same devotion and tireless effort, be built of cards."In conclusion, even after two readings, I feel that I have only scratched the surface of this book's depth. My suggestion for one considering a read, to achieve the maximum value this book has to offer, be prepared to do the work. If you are not (which is of course fine), its probably not the best choice.

Didn’t really love but it was interesting!

The story is about a forty-something daughter who returns to her childhood home to help her father through a surgery which eventually leads to his death. Laurel, the daughter, sits through her father’s wake as a flood of old friends dawdle around when the new wife’s white trash family invades the solemn farewell.The heart of the story is hard to point out. Every word, every character and their diction, every event within those few days that story takes places come together at the end for Laurel. When the sum of it all leads to a grand realization that will not only help her through this loss, but in life.Things I particularly loved about the novel—how the author used nature to set the mood and sometimes foreshadowed things to come. The rose bushes. Her mother’s childhood house set on a high mountain. The river. The caged pigeons. And the bird that got in through the chimney; and could escape. The storm… And even the breadboard her husband had so lovingly made for her mother.The read was like walking through a muddy road in red heels. But. Once I'd reached the paved road, I stood looking down at my beautiful expensive red shoes and looked back at the muddy road behind. I had a choice be angry about the muddy shoes or see the beauty ahead of me. I chose the latter, much like Laurel.When the heart of the story is climaxed at the second to the last page, that’s when it will all make sense; and that is the heart of the story.

The star system doesn't work with this book because I'm not sure I liked it but it was a good book - and it isn't really a book, it felt more like a short story - something you'd find in an anthology of American literature.It felt empty at first, in the beginning of the book the main character was not developed as in other books and I almost put it down, but I'm glad I didn't; not because it was a great read, but because I am still thinking about it and the prose is still sing-songing in my head. The important facts about the characters that I was looking for were left off until the end of the story when I finally understood that this was on purpose, that everything in the beginning was purposefully written in that style to culminate in the climax and the end of the story. It was then I started to read it with renewed interest and couldn't put it down.It has affected me, but I found no satisfaction in it - it doesn't tie everything up neatly with a nice little bow and I was left wanting - I'm not sure wanting for what? Maybe to re-read it with my new insight now that I know the end.

If you are not from the South, read another book.Southerners enjoy and relate to stories. The past, as captured in stories and memories, defines the people of the South and its heritage. One from the South can argue that too much time is spent dwelling on the past.The book revolves around a daughter whose father married a much younger woman. The problem, and story line, is the new woman isn't from the South and has no interest in the past (memories) of the individuals of the family into which she married or the community in which she has been living with her husband. Dad is dead. The new, young wife is vicious and is unaware of the feelings of her former husband's daughter or the Southern community.This is a book where every scene counts. I'm used to scanning parts of books that don't appeal to me. As I found out, you can not scan a 180-page, tightly written masterpiece.This book lingers. You can roar through it 100 miles an hour. Go ahead. Then read the last 10 pages or so one more time. Put it down. You'll go back to those 10 pages again.

One of those books that I read slower and slower so that it lasts longer. I actually ration the pages. So beautiful. I recently read Delta Wedding, which was also just delightful. My advice to anyone: stick with the classics and you'll never be disappointed.

I read this book because Anne Tyler said that when she started writing, Eudora Welty was a major influence and Anne Tyler is my favourite writer. Well, this novel does not have the detailed behavioural insights of AT and as a result I found myself detached and unconcerned by Laurel's emotional battle with her step mother at her father's funeral. Other reviewers have said you need to come from the deep South in America to understand the interest in one generation's influence upon the next. I missed it. Apparently you need to read it twice to understand why it won a Pulitzer prize, but there are too many other books waiting.

I love this author. The characters in this story are so distinct. They are people you know, or seen or heard about, yet they remain unpredictable. The surprising behaviours are hilarious and descriptions bring a strong visual element.. Since the story focuses on an incident that happens within a few weeks, it left me wanting to know more after the last page. I felt like the story was just beginning. Great quick read!

As a character study this short book works; as a novel it lacks purpose. Laurel has come home to Mississippi because of her father's illness and finds herself at loggerheads with his new wife, Fay. The characters are finely drawn and the sense of place is engaging, but I found myself at the end wondering what the point of the story was; Laurel does not seem to learn anything about herself or her parents, issues with Fay are not resolved - there is no enlightenment or feeling of growth. The story is split into four parts and when I'd finished I read the final part again to try to see what I'd missed - but the meaning escapes me.

Libro di sicuro valore letterario ed artistico. Per le mie inclinazioni pero' non cosi' scorrevole ed avvincente.