I have a profound love for Anne Lamott. Her works have always had a special charm that attracts me deeply.

This particular novel of hers is filled with some truly luscious descriptions. The way she weaves words together to paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind is simply remarkable.

However, I must admit that I still have a greater inclination towards her nonfiction. There is something about the authenticity and realness in her nonfiction works that speaks to my soul on a deeper level.

Perhaps it is the way she shares her own experiences and insights, making me feel as if I am right there with her, learning and growing along the way.

Nevertheless, this novel is also a wonderful piece of literature, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read it and explore the world that Anne Lamott has created within its pages.

This was not one of my favorite books by Lamott. However, she still remains a favorite author of mine.

In this particular work, I was able to vividly picture the town and the era in which the story was set. The descriptions were so detailed that it felt as if I was transported to that place and time.

Nevertheless, the characters seemed to be constantly embroiled in a plethora of extreme situations. It was almost as if there was no respite for them.

While this added a certain level of drama and excitement to the plot, it also made it a bit less relatable at times.

Despite these minor drawbacks, I still appreciate Lamott's writing style and her ability to create a rich and engaging world within the pages of her books.

I look forward to reading more of her works in the future and seeing how she continues to evolve as an author.

This is an early novel (1989) of Anne Lamott's, and it is an absolute delight.

They often say to write about what one knows, and the reader gets the impression that, although this is a work of fiction, Lamott has an intense empathy for Nanny, likely stemming from personal experience.

Funny, heartbreaking, and heartwarming, young Nanny Goodman grows up in the sixties across the bay from San Francisco, surrounded by quirky adults with rather grown-up problems such as alcoholism, depression, separation, infidelity, unplanned pregnancy, and a general dissatisfaction with life.

There is little room for childhood innocence here as Nanny's brother turns to drugs and the adults in her life become too preoccupied with their own pain and drama to shield her from the harsh realities of life.

Nevertheless, at the core, Nanny knows she is loved despite living in the midst of dysfunction. Truly, isn't that the most crucial thing for a girl to know?

I am a huge fan of Anne Lamott. I love everything she has written, but I cherish some more than others. I have always believed that her honest, self-effacing memoirs (such as Operating Instructions, Bird by Bird, Traveling Mercies, Plan B, and Grace Eventually) are stronger (perhaps because they are so brutally honest?) than her fiction.

All New People is the exception. I consider it her finest novel.

This was my very first Anne Lamott novel.

I read it during my college days. I vividly remember being completely struck by the remarkable ease and intimacy that her writing exuded.

It was astonishingly honest and breathtakingly beautiful. At that particular point in time, I knew absolutely nothing about any of her other books.

However, I was instantly hooked on her unique voice.

And ever since then, I have held a deep and abiding love for her work.

Her words have a way of touching the soul and making you see the world in a different light.

They are like a gentle breeze that blows through your heart, leaving a lasting impression.

Anne Lamott's writing is truly a gift, and I feel so fortunate to have discovered it during my college years.

It has continued to inspire and move me ever since.

As I delved into this book, a profound sense of nostalgia washed over me for my old hometown.

Before the town made the fateful decision to construct the industrial park and the two malls, life was so different. We resided off a country road where, if you were unfortunate enough to drive through when the farmer was herding his cows, you had to patiently wait.

Now, that road has been widened, and the traffic has accelerated accordingly. I vividly remember having a drunk Uncle Ed and an older brother.

The author masterfully captured the essence of how the world was changing at an alarmingly rapid pace, causing massive disruptions in people's lives. Divorce loomed like a huge black cloud over our parents.

I could truly identify with the female narrator and her journey of coming of age in the sixties. The quote her father said to her, which forms the basis of the book's title, I heard from a friend a few years ago when I was taking myself and my problems far too seriously.

"...why do we make it all seem like a crisis, over and over again? Why do we worry it all to death, like dogs with socks or chew-toys? Look at it this way,...in a hundred years? All new people."

The things we struggle with, the people we care about, will all eventually be gone. But will the same type of struggle or person reemerge in 100 years? Can anyone truly learn from our experiences? And if so, how? Through our stories, our fiction? Is this the reason why history seems to repeat itself? Every 100 years, new people appear, doing the same things and making the same mistakes as the previous generation.

It makes one wonder about the cyclical nature of life and the lessons we are meant to learn.

Quixotic is a term that describes someone who is overly idealistic and impractical in their pursuits.

A quixotic person often has grand dreams and visions that may seem far-fetched or even impossible to achieve.

They are willing to take risks and face challenges, sometimes without fully considering the consequences.

However, their unwavering belief in their ideals can also be an inspiration to others.

Quixotic individuals are not afraid to go against the grain and fight for what they believe in, even if it means standing alone.

Their passion and determination can drive them to great heights, although they may also experience setbacks and disappointments along the way.

In literature, the character of Don Quixote is perhaps the most famous example of a quixotic figure.

His adventures and misadventures serve as a commentary on the nature of idealism and the folly of pursuing impossible dreams.

Overall, the term quixotic captures the essence of those who dare to dream big and strive for something greater, regardless of the odds.

Catching up…

I vividly remember reading this particular work many years ago. It has now been graciously donated to my Little Free Library Shed, presenting me with the wonderful opportunity to re-visit it and share my review on Goodreads.

This is a concise novel that revolves around a woman named Nanny. She is collaborating with a psychologist through the medium of hypnosis. Nanny is grappling with some deeply buried and challenging issues from her childhood. These issues have manifested as depression in her adulthood, and she is determined to work through them.

Although the premise of the story might initially seem uncomfortable, it is, in fact, replete with grace, humor, and the indomitable power of love.

However, readers should be aware that there are certain triggers within the pages. There is a significant amount of pain, dysfunction, and addiction that are explored.

Nevertheless, 'All New People' powerfully demonstrates that life holds more sway than death, and that laughter has the ability to transcend the bleakest of moments, thereby unearthing the strength of the human spirit. This is a true testament to Lamott's remarkable ability to pen stories about real people.

I truly adored this book. Ms. Lamott has an uncanny ability to capture the angst and turmoil of childhood and teenhood, transporting me right back to my own formative years.

Nannie, the protagonist, is a teenager in the 1960s, residing in California, just outside of San Francisco. The area where she grows up is rather rural, in close proximity to a train depot. The diverse cast of characters that orbit around her is both touching and fascinating. Her parents and their friends are left-leaning, yet her mother also has a religious side, which, although seemingly incongruous, is in line with the many inconsistencies that we all possess.

As I sit here, having reached the end of this wonderful story, I am filled with a bittersweet ache in my heart for Nannie and for my own adolescence. It is a feeling that is both poignant and beautiful, a reminder of the joys and sorrows that we all experience during those formative years. Brava to Ms. Lamott for creating such a captivating and memorable work of literature.

I truly have a deep appreciation for her unique style.

However, when it comes to this particular work, it bears such a striking resemblance to another one of her novels.

As a result, it fails to offer that sense of freshness and fails to truly capture the reader's attention and imagination.

It's almost as if we've seen this all before, and there's nothing new or exciting to discover.

While her style is still evident, the lack of originality in this particular piece is somewhat disappointing.

One would have hoped for something more innovative and distinct to emerge from her talented pen.

Perhaps in the future, she will find a way to break free from this pattern and present us with something truly remarkable and unforgettable.

I have an absolute adoration for this unique, intelligent, and early novel penned by Anne Lamott. Just like a significant portion of her fictional works, a child takes on the role of the crucial center and the perceptive oracle of genuine observation. Through the eyes of Nanny Goodman, we witness flawed, humorous, wise, and courageous adults navigating a somewhat marginal life during the tumultuous 1960s. This remarkable story is like a combination of "Secret Life of Bees", "To Kill A Mockingbird", and "Charms for the Easy Life**", yet it is 100% Lamott's own creation.

This book holds a special place as one of the treasures in my personal library. I loved it to such an extent that I went to great lengths to track down a hardback first edition. I'm certain you will love it too. The unforgettable church scenes will make you want to sway, sing, and stomp your feet. You'll find yourself laughing out loud at least fourteen times. And when you're feeling low and despondent, you'll recall Natalie's advice to Nanny's mother: "...you had to get out of the pit as soon as you could...as soon as you noticed you'd gone into it, otherwise you'd start furnishing it. I mean, since it looked like you were going to live there forever, why not make it comfortable?" Mostly, you'll desire for all your friends to read this wise and charming book as well.

**If you haven't had the pleasure of reading this precious gem by Kaye Gibbons, your reading life is truly incomplete.

I truly relished this story that centers around a family and its evolution over approximately three decades.

The character development within the story is outstanding. Each character is crafted with such detail and nuance that they come to life on the page.

The author's insightful analysis of complex human interactions is another aspect that makes this story remarkable. We get to witness the various relationships within the family, the love, the conflicts, the sacrifices.

The story is not only engaging but also deeply poignant. It touches on themes such as family, love, loss, and growth in a way that is both profound and moving.

It makes you reflect on your own family and the relationships that matter most to you. Overall, this is a story that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally satisfying read.

In a way that I've never fully grasped, the veil tore an inch for me on that particular day.

It's a phenomenon that occurs every now and then. Amidst the ordinary and routine aspects of daily life, suddenly, there is a minuscule tear in the veil.

And through that tear, you catch a glimpse of something bigger and brighter.

But then, just as quickly as it appeared, the veil repairs itself, and the day continues as it did before.

This kind of writing is precisely why I have a deep appreciation for Anne Lamott.

Her words have the power to describe these fleeting and profound moments with such clarity and beauty.

It's as if she can see beyond the surface of things and share those insights with her readers.

Her writing makes me stop and think, and it reminds me that there is often more to life than what meets the eye.

It's a source of inspiration and wonder, and it keeps me coming back for more.