Digging to America: A Novel Audiobook

" I thought I wouldn't like this book at first because the characters are whiny about eachother but I grew to like them and enjoyed the nuances. I particularly liked Maryam and her feelings of "otherness" and also descriptions of her family. "

" Well written story nominally about adoption but yielding to a parenting story then to a culture clash love story. Funny bits about pacifier habit breaking and the deeper meaning to "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain". Fine for a family drama. "

" Good characterizations. Too bad there wasn't much of a plot. "

" This was an interesting story, but the author just didn't do it for me...it could have been so much better. "

" The author's concept of exploring cultural differences here in the States made this a fun and yet, at times, thought provoking read. "

" loved this...sweet book...lived a bit of this life thru family... "

" I liked tis one a lot. Have read some of this writer's work before and appreciate the style; her attention to detail, warmth, quiet moments of emotion, how complex people are. A few of the characters in this are infuriating but it's never so bad you'd stop reading. The story was interesting, though it does get left hanging a bit. It says some interesting things about what it means to be American, or not; but also the general themes of human nature. "

" Just enough romance, just enough conflict...I keep telling my Iranian friend at work "You have to read this book!" "

" I love this author but this wasn't my favorite... "

" Not Tyler's best book, but still full of lovable, exasperating, real people. "

" Not wonderful, but worth the read for the insight into the adoption experience from the parents' point of view as well as a peek into Iranian-American culture. "

" The idea of foreignness explored. Well done, but I think the Tyler melancholy doesn't appeal as much anymore. "

" I never can really figure what Anne Tyler is really getting at in any of her books. This one was confusing to me; there were no heros, no villians, probably some truism but I missed it completely. I did not care for the charactars either. "

" Deals with two families who simultaneously adopt Korean daughters. One family is Iranian, the other American. How the families interact and the relationships are the meat of the story. "

" Wonderful book, great characters, great exploration of existence and culture. "

" I read this for book club, it was good and worth reading...I did enjoy it. "

" It was just unputdownable and I immediately rushed to the library for more "

" Read only one chapter. Couldn't get into it. "

" DIdn't like this book very much, no depth to the story, the characters were thinly drawn. I got bored waiting for something to happen, or for a character to develop, but when nothing surfaced, I gave up on it midway. "

" Loved. I listened to this at work and I cried in front of my co-workers when the babies arrived. Ann Tyler is amazing. "

" 2 families in Baltimore adopt baby girls from Korea and keep in touch throughout the years. Very good writing. I thought it was going to turn into a diatribe about adoption but it turned into a great story about people and their emotions. Can't wait for her next book. "

" I think this book is one of the best she has written. Our book club enjoyed it, even those who aren't fans of Anne Tyler. It's depiction of adoption and adjusting to new cultures felt authentic. "

" i have had this book in "my stack" for a long, long time and finally got around to reading it. not a barn burner. it is about a family trying to assimilate in the united states. lots of typical stereotypes. not so crazy about the topic. "

" This was definitely my least favorite Anne Tyler book. I love the voice in her past books, but this one sounded like someone else wrote it! The story was good though. "

" It took some time to take shape as a story. A quiet read with a good message about immigration and some of the things it means to be an American. "

" I kept falling asleep....I'm sure it's a good book. I just wasn't that into it. "

" I love Anne Tyler's writing style and this book was great. "

" I have been reading Anne Tyler's books forever. I liked hearing the story from a few of the character's voices. I appreciated the perspective Iranian immigrants and their children as 1st generation Americans juxtaposed with the american family, "

" I read this in an airport, which I kind of think is the only appropriate place to read a book like this. It's not that great, it's not so bad. It's mostly harmless. "

" Not nearly as engaging as other Anne Tyler novels I've read. Were it not a book club pick I don't think I would have finished it. "

" interesting view of American life, with so many cultures mixing here "

" I struggled with this book. While the characters were interesting, I couldn't figure out the point of the book or where it was headed. Not very satisfying at the end. "

" Loved this book. It was amusing and delightful, and of course, it portrayed social and cultural magnification integral to the story, as typical with Anne Tyler.. "