Reviews for Noah's Compass

The average rating for Noah's Compass based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2020-01-18 00:00:00 Larry Symons "The trouble with discarding bad memories was that evidently the good ones went with them." Often while reading "Noah's Compass" something I read would send me spinning off through my own memories and experiences because Anne Tyler writes in such a simplistic and truthful manner that captures the nuance of everyday life. At times while reading Ms. Tyler it is like reading a story about yourself. Anne Tyler gets under my skin in all the good ways. Some examples: This text has a few moments where the characters, and the reader, are experiencing uncomplicated joy. A small yet happy moment of life that is followed immediately (with no foreshadowing) by a gut punch. Not a big dramatic gut punch, a real life simple announcement that changes everything. I found myself wrapped up in the emotions of the protagonist, Liam Pennywell, a man who comes across the page as all too (uncomfortably) real. In chapter 9 of this novel there is so much reality there that you hold your breath because you recognize and know the feel of the emotions depicted. There is a moment in the text where my thoughts about a character should not be ambiguous, yet they are because Tyler once again binds me up in that oh so human conflict of more than one side to every issue. A father is talking to the child he messed up when he left his wife eons ago. He says, "I just couldn't bear to go to my grave knowing I'd wasted my life. I just wanted my share of happiness. Can't you understand how I felt?" Yes, yes I can, because this man is flawed, but not a villain. Tyler also creates a palpable sense of loneliness throughout the novel, without using the word lonely to convey it. This character study will give you a lot to think about, and you will reflect on your own life while reading. It is unavoidable. I love that this novel ends in a realistic manner. It is not what the reader hopes for, but it rings of truth. The last 4 pages of "Noah's Compass" reek of contentment. In a world where no one seems satisfied, it feels like more than enough.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-01-28 00:00:00 Jeff Presco Anybody can write an interesting story about interesting people. But how about a good story about uninteresting people? That's a more difficult challenge. This novel meets that challenge. This is a novel that features a normal person with ordinary abilities and no particular passion for life. Unmotivated readers (aging with nothing in particular to look forward to in life) will be able to identify with this story. It starts out a bit slow, but for the reader who makes it through to the end of the book will find it worthwhile reading. Even ambitious and passionate readers can enjoy the book too. The main character is 60 years old, has lost his job as a teacher and does not feel like looking for another job. As a matter of fact he sees no reason to continue living. Then some things happen, he sees a glimpse of hope, his spirits are lifted, then it all falls apart, but then he makes it through with a new lease on (and appreciation of) life. He also has a degree in philosophy so he has the consolation of philosophy. A quotation from this book: "Epictetus says that everything has two handles, one by which it can be borne and one which it cannot. If your brother sins against you, he says, don't take hold of it by the wrong he did you but by the fact that he's your brother. That's how it can be borne." There are no characters in the novel named Noah. So why the title? There is a four year old grandson in the story named Jonah. Well, that's close but still doesn't explain the title for the book. At one point in the book the main character reads the story of Noah and the flood to his grandson Jonah (from a Bible story coloring book for children). He explains to his grandson that, "There was nowhere to go. He was just trying to stay afloat. ... So he didn't need a compass, or a rudder, or a sextant...Noah didn't need to figure out directions, because the whole world was underwater and so it made no difference." It's pretty clear to the reader that he's describing his own personal predicament.