Anne Tyler's richest, most deeply searching novel-a story about what it is to be an American, and about Iranian-born Maryam Yazdan, who, after 35 years in this country, must finally come to terms with her "outsiderness." Two families, who would otherwise never have come together, meet by chance at the Baltimore airport - the Donaldsons, a very American couple, and the Yazdans, Maryam's fully assimilated son and his attractive Iranian wife. Each couple is awaiting the arrival of an adopted infant daughter from Korea. After ...
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Anne Tyler's richest, most deeply searching novel-a story about what it is to be an American, and about Iranian-born Maryam Yazdan, who, after 35 years in this country, must finally come to terms with her "outsiderness." Two families, who would otherwise never have come together, meet by chance at the Baltimore airport - the Donaldsons, a very American couple, and the Yazdans, Maryam's fully assimilated son and his attractive Iranian wife. Each couple is awaiting the arrival of an adopted infant daughter from Korea. After the instant babies from distant Asia are delivered, Bitsy Donaldson impulsively invites the Yazdans to celebrate: an "arrival party" that from then on is repeated every year as the two families become more and more deeply intertwined. Even Maryam is drawn in - up to a point. When she finds herself being courted by Bitsy Donaldson's recently widowed father, all the values she cherishes - her traditions, her privacy, her otherness-are suddenly threatened. A luminous novel brimming with subtle, funny, and tender observations that immerse us in the challenges of both sides of the American story.
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Add this copy of Digging to America Unabridged on 7 Cds to cart. $4.97, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Books On Tape.
Add this copy of Digging to America Unabridged on 7 Cds to cart. $43.88, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Books On Tape.
Felt like I was in the story. The characters were so real. We have all encountered a Bitsy or Dave, etc.
Would definitely recommend this book.
LizaL33
May 8, 2008
A quick read, this sweet little novel concerns two Baltimore families who both receive their adopted baby girls from Korea on the same day. They forge a connection, which is traced through both families over a period of about six years as the girls grow up and their parents and grandparents find themselves coming together and drifting apart in unpredictable ways.
One of the families is Iranian-American, and much time is spent meditating on the meaning of "being American." Differences in parenting styles, familial relationships, and cultural identity are also depicted. For the most part, I liked the book, but there's unequal character development here. The Iranian family is pretty much defined by that one characteristic, while the other mother basically devolves into a cartoon of the stereotypical pushy, overprotective mom ("You put your baby in a playpen??!!").
The book was alright, and it was a quick read, so even though there's not a lot to recommend it, it wasn't time wasted.
Emily11507
Jul 8, 2007
Wonderful take on family dynamics
I was reluctant to read this book because the premise seemed a bit cloying and forced, but I quickly found myself drawn in to the psychological and social worlds of the characters.
akapulko2020
May 23, 2007
A very enjoyable book!
I've read quite a few of Ann Tyler's books and this is one of her most enjoyable. The characters are very believable , the plot develops at just the right pace, I could all but see the Yazdans and the Donaldsons right before my eyes. Also ,from a standpoint of an immigrant ,not from Iran and not to the US , her observations on some of the relevant issues are very accurate and insightful. I highly recommend this book.
lunarkk
Apr 4, 2007
disappointing
Definately not Tyler's best work. The story line was a good one but the characters, setting and plot never developed into anything. Readers in our bookclub voted this one a C-. Expected more from this usually wonderful writer
