BOOK BRIEF

The Beginner's Goodbye

Anne Tyler
Guide cover placeholder

The Beginner's Goodbye

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2012

Book Brief

Sparkles iconBeta
Anne Tyler

The Beginner's Goodbye

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2012
Book Details
Pages

198

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Baltimore, Maryland • Contemporary

Publication Year

2012

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Beginner's Goodbye, by Anne Tyler, follows a grieving man after losing his wife. As he struggles to cope, he encounters her spirit, providing an unexpected path to healing and personal growth. The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and renewal, highlighting the protagonist's journey to acceptance and understanding.

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

3.9

22,862 ratings

59%

Loved it

31%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Anne Tyler's The Beginner's Goodbye explores themes of loss and healing with her trademark emotional depth. Critics praise her nuanced character development and graceful storytelling. However, some note the plot's predictability and occasional lack of tension. Overall, it's a poignant examination of grief that resonates with Tyler's signature warmth.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Beginner's Goodbye?

A reader who enjoys The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler likely appreciates character-driven stories that explore themes of grief and recovery. Fans of The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling or The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce may find similar satisfaction in its warmth, humor, and focus on life's small, transformative moments.

3.9

22,862 ratings

59%

Loved it

31%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

198

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Baltimore, Maryland • Contemporary

Publication Year

2012

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!