Barnaby Gaitlin is a hapless if philosophical 30-year-old whose life is a mess. He used to be married with a wife and a daughter and a house, but nowadays lives in a rented room and assists old people in his new role of general home-help-cum-removal-man. Welcome to the world of Anne Tyler, one of the most popular "good" contemporary writers. In this, her 14th novel, she yet again demonstrates her genius for balancing sympathy with shrewd observation, skilful characterisation, authentic dialogue and deadpan humour. There are some inspired comic setpieces, such as a disastrous turkey-less Thanksgiving supper complete with melted Pilgrim candles - but then Tyler has always been good on bickering clans, confusion and domestic detail. Among many brilliant touches is her careful presentation of the likeable Barnaby as an intelligent, imaginative, certainly self-aware individual from a comfortable background who realises he is no longer in control. For all the warmth and humanity, Tyler - who invariably likes her characters - is a shrewd, profound and often subtle writer.
