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All New People

anne lamott

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With generosity, humor, and pathos, Anne Lamott takes on the barrage of dislocating changes that shook the Sixties. Leading us through the wake of these changes is Nanny Goodman, one small girl living in Marin County, California. A half-adult child among often childish adults, Nanny grows up with two spectacularly odd parents: a writer father and a mother who is a constant source of material. As Nanny moves into her adolescence, so, it seems, does America. While grappling with her own coming-of-age, Nanny witnesses an entire culture's descent into drugs, the mass exodus of fathers from her town, and rapid real-estate and technological development that foreshadow a drastically different future. In All New People, Anne Lamott works a special magic, transforming failure into forgiveness and illuminating the power of love to redeem us.

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1989

This edition

Format
176 pages, Paperback
Published
December 17, 1999 by Counterpoint
ISBN
9781582430546
ASIN
1582430543
Language
English

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About the author

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anne lamott

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Anne Lamott is an author of several novels and works of non-fiction. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, her non-fiction works are largely autobiographical, with strong doses of self-deprecating humor and covering such subjects as alcoholism, single motherhood, and Christianity. She appeals to her fans because of her sense of humor, her deeply felt insights, and her outspoken views on topics such as her left-of-center politics and her unconventional Christian faith. She is a graduate of Drew College Preparatory School in San Francisco, California. Her father, Kenneth Lamott, was also a writer and was the basis of her first novel Hard Laughter.

Lamott's life is documented in Freida Lee Mock's 1999 documentary Bird by Bird: A Film Portrait of Writer Anne Lamott.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
31(31%)
4 stars
36(36%)
3 stars
33(33%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
StarYoru
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The book I read was just okay for me.

There wasn't a great deal of substance in it. It seemed rather lacking in depth and complexity.

This author was recommended to me by Joan Fletcher. I had high hopes initially, but unfortunately, the book didn't quite live up to my expectations.

However, it did have its enjoyable moments. I managed to get a few laughs here and there, which was nice.

The author also seemed to have a tenderhearted side, which came through in some of the descriptions and characterizations.

Overall, while the book wasn't a masterpiece, it wasn't a complete waste of time either. It had its flaws, but it also had some redeeming qualities.

I'm not sure if I would recommend it to others, but if you're looking for a light read that might make you smile, it could be worth a try.
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Professional2341
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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How can one not fall in love with Anne Lamott? Her words are like a gentle and refreshing rain that washes over you, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and inspired.

I was so captivated by her writing that I actually found myself walking around the house, reading excerpts aloud to my husband and children. I wanted them to experience the beauty and sweetness of her language for themselves.

As I read, I could see the expressions on their faces change. They were drawn in by the power of her words, just as I was. It was a wonderful moment, sharing the joy of great literature with my family.

Anne Lamott has a unique ability to touch the hearts and souls of her readers. Her writing is honest, raw, and full of life. It makes you think, it makes you feel, and it makes you want to be a better person.

If you haven't read her work yet, I highly recommend that you do. You won't be disappointed.
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MthrFckrs
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Anne Lamott is truly one of my all-time favorite authors. Her writing style is so unique and engaging that you can never predict what she's going to say next.

Her words have a way of captivating readers and drawing them into her world. Whether she's sharing personal anecdotes, offering profound insights, or simply making us laugh out loud, Lamott always manages to leave a lasting impression.

One of the things I love most about her is her honesty. She doesn't hold back, and she's not afraid to tackle difficult topics or share her own flaws and insecurities. This makes her writing feel relatable and authentic, and it's what keeps me coming back for more.

In conclusion, Anne Lamott is a talented and inspiring author who has touched the lives of countless readers. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
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AlyssaSlave
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This book gives the impression of being like a hug.

Perhaps it's like a hug where one person, a rather independent girl with an abundance of spunk oozing out of her ears, gets a bit prickly and eventually pinches you and labels you as phony.

After having just finished reading _Bird by Bird_, I have the sense that I have an intimate understanding of Lamott's writing style even as I'm perusing the actual text.

I can envision her delving into the ground and extracting worms, examining them in the light, and perhaps even squishing them a little.

At this moment, I am especially attracted to stories of dysfunctional and challenging families that, against all odds, manage to persevere through the bonds of love.

This book is an exact match for my current interests.

It's a perfect read for a weekend filled with plane rides, allowing me to immerse myself in Lamott's world and gain further insights into her unique perspective on life and writing.

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dbzakj
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Maybe reading all of Ann Lamott's books too close together is not a good thing.

I truly enjoyed the book I just finished. However, upon closer inspection, it became evident that it mostly presented the same themes and featured similar people, even though it was supposed to be a work of fiction.

This repetition, while not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, did start to feel a bit monotonous after a while.

I found myself longing for a bit more variety and diversity in the storylines and characters.

Despite this, I still appreciate Lamott's writing style and her ability to bring the stories to life.

Maybe in the future, I'll space out my readings of her books to avoid this sense of sameness and be able to fully appreciate each one on its own merits.

Overall, it was an interesting reading experience, but one that could have been enhanced with a bit more innovation.

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laniessa
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I just never got caught up in this book.

Nanny, Casey, their lefty parents, Uncle Ed, Aunt Peg, Natalie, Lynnie, Maddy, Pru, Wino John - all of them are walking around with their own very real pain.

However, they just never really pulled me in. Maybe it was a bit too elliptical?

For example, see what you can do with the symbolism of the railroad yard - which gets swallowed up by condos - and the birds and the brilliant bay?

The railroad yard might represent the old ways or a fading era, being replaced by the modern condos.

The birds could symbolize freedom or perhaps a connection to nature that is being lost.

The brilliant bay might be a source of beauty and hope, yet it too is affected by the changes around it.

Maybe if I could better understand these symbols and their significance, the story would have had more of an impact on me.

As it stands, I just couldn't seem to get fully engaged with the characters and their experiences.
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Wildan_ns
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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For many years, it was my favorite book of all time.

Even now, it still holds a very high position in my heart.

I truly believe that it is just about perfect from beginning to end.

The story unfolds in a captivating way, drawing the reader in from the very first page.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their lives.

The plot is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, never knowing what will happen next.

The writing style is beautiful and engaging, making it a pleasure to read.

Overall, this book is a masterpiece that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read.
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Tofu_is_good
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Lovely, lovely novel! Lamott's works always have a unique charm that never disappoints. This particular novel is no exception. From the very beginning, it captured my attention and took me on an unforgettable journey. The characters were vividly portrayed, and I found myself deeply invested in their lives and emotions.


The story unfolded in a way that kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly eager to turn the page and discover what would happen next. Lamott's writing style is so engaging and beautiful that it made the reading experience truly enjoyable.


However, as all good things must come to an end, I was sad to see this novel finish. It felt like saying goodbye to old friends. But at the same time, I was also grateful for the wonderful experience it had given me. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more of Lamott's works in the future.

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