When I told my father I had just finished reading an Anne Tyler novel, he described exactly the plot without even knowing which title I had read: It was set in Baltimore, about a large, dysfunctional family with some eccentric quirks, and not very much happens. I realized that this was not only an apt summary of BWWWG but also every Tyler novel I have ever read. There are those writers who write one book and know they are done, and then there are those who write the same book over and over but never realize it.

Excellent – Anne Tyler at her best. Introspection, brilliant characterisation and wry observations of everyday life. The style is easy to read, yet surprisingly thought-provoking. Enjoyable.