Book Review: Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

I recently read Anne Tyler's Three Days in June and I savoured every part of it.

One of the first Anne Tyler books I read was Digging to America. I was sorting my books at home and was surprised to find this one in my collection. I asked the usual suspects but got no closer to finding its owner and you know; finders keepers and all that. I was drawn to the premise and I started to read it. That was my first by Anne Tyler. I was blown away by the nuanced writing and the narrative of familial relationships, parenting and ageing and so much more.

Of course it led me to another masterpiece - A Spool of Blue Thread. Family dynamics are front and centre of this one, and I realise as I write this - that it is time for a re-read!

It was sheer luck that I came across Three Days in June by Anne Tyler at the local library. I didn't bother reading the jacket cover and simply dived into it.

Image from Amazon

I was hooked right from the first line. "People don't tap their wristwatches anymore; have you noticed?" It lured me right in and I have to say never a dull moment from then on.

Set across three days (in June), with the central character Gail Baines, a woman in her sixties. Matter of fact. Woman of few words, has plenty mental responses that she doesn't care to voice out - cos what's the point? I also love aged up characters - it is refreshing to read about the life from the perspective of a 60-something woman.

We're taken through Gail's day which begins with her losing her job - no spoiler there. It also happens to be the day prior to her daughter's wedding and she gets an unexpected and perhaps unwelcome visit from her ex-husband who she has to host for a couple of nights, along with a cat he's fostering. Right from the start, the reader is aware of the underlying ripples in the relationship (ex for a reason, right?).

Day two and three are the day of and the day after the (daughter's) wedding. A lot happens over the three days. We're let in on some big, life changing secrets in an understated manner peculiar to Anne Tyler. There's a whole lot of back story and revelation. There's an unraveling that's wholesome and satisfying.

The cast of characters is quite small and packs a punch. In this world of fast everything , I love the pause that the narrative brings to life. It makes you take a deep breath. You're spurred into reading further not to know how it ends or to know what happens next, but to simply enjoy the present.

There are so many moments when I laughed out loud. The humour is spot on. The twist is surprising enough and puts marriage and relationships in perspective. I love that Gail's character is vulnerable and honest.

I couldn't help but see myself in Gail's character. A busy mind that doesn't voice out thoughts and is reticent. A worrier who presumes her daughter's preference for her in-laws. Someone who is awkward and not comfortable in social situations.

At a slim 176 pages, the novel is a delight. The narrative was perfectly sequenced with just the apt amount of flashbacks. There were no dull moments where I thought - let's pick up the pace!

I would definitely and highly and enthusiastically recommend this book to readers who enjoy works about emotions and relationships, love, loss and identity.