A Patchwork Planet

In one of her most endearing novels yet, Anne Tyler tells the story of Barnaby Gaitlin--a lovable loser desperately trying to get his life together.

A notorious troublemaker in his adolescence, Barnaby Gaitlin has since reformed his ways to try and be a responsible adult--with dubious results. Long gone are the days of breaking and entering into people's homes and liberating them from some of their mementos. Barnaby now works as muscle-for-hire at Rent-a-Back, helping the elderly and infirm with their heavy-lifting needs. Yet for all his efforts, he still finds himself estranged from his wealthy, philanthropic family, his ex-wife, and his mouthy nine-year-old daughter, Opal. And even though he's unwittingly attracted the attentions of a woman who wants to save… Keep Reading