I have a deep affection for many of Anne Lamott's depictions of people. In this particular book, a significant number of the descriptions are presented from the perspective of a pre-teen girl. Her father, for instance, is described as smelling "like a good clean goat." It is truly a delightful and enjoyable read.

It is always a source of great pleasure to peruse books that are set in the vicinity of a place where I have resided. This book was no different in that regard. It offers an intriguing portrayal of Marin in the 1960s, a time when gentrification was just commencing in a small railroad town.

As I was reading this work, I experienced a somewhat scattered sensation. I found myself having to flip back a few pages on several occasions to verify the timeline. This could potentially be attributed to the fact that I often read the book just before taking naps. However, I also suspect that it might have been deliberately crafted in this manner to vividly illustrate the narrator's feelings of being unsettled and disconnected.

Like a great many people, I have delved into far more of Anne Lamott's nonfiction works than her fictional ones.

On the fictional side, I have perused the three "Rosie" novels. All of them, I found enjoyable, yet none of them could compare to the profound love I felt for "Bird by Bird" or "Operating Instructions" or even the book review column she once penned for "Mademoiselle", which was my initial introduction to her remarkable writing.

I made an attempt to obtain a copy of "All New People" a long time ago, but it was out of print until her nonfiction soared in popularity. At that juncture, all of her earlier novels became accessible once more. And now, I have at long last read this particular one.

This novel stands in stark contrast to the "Rosie" novels. For starters, it is significantly funnier. It is also a great deal sadder. Moreover, it appears to be more directly inspired by Lamott's own life - I recognized several of the spiritual concepts and some of the events from "Bird by Bird" and her subsequent writings on faith. It lacks anything even remotely similar to a conventional plot; instead, it is more akin to a memoir and a snapshot of the Bay Area during the sixties. I might suggest this to fans who have previously struggled to engage with her fiction - the voice in this one is unmistakably that of Anne Lamott.

I am a big fan of Anne Lamott's nonfiction work. Her words have always had a special charm and power that draw me in. However, when it comes to her fiction, I have often found it a bit challenging to fully engage.

Recently, I picked up one of her fictional works, and to my surprise, it was the first one that I actually felt a connection with. As I read through the pages, I began to enjoy the story and the characters she had created.

Despite this newfound enjoyment of her fiction, I still find myself gravitating more towards non-fiction overall. There is something about the realness and authenticity of non-fiction that speaks to me on a deeper level. It's like a window into the lives and experiences of others, and I can't get enough of it.

Non-fiction is truly my bag, and while I may continue to explore Lamott's fiction from time to time, it is the non-fiction that will always hold a special place in my heart.

She grew up in a small town in Northern California near San Francisco. As a divorced adult, she returned there. It didn't take long until the sights, sounds, and scents took Nanny Goodman back to her childhood, mainly in the summer of 1966, the year before the summer of love.

Written by Anne Lamott, this is the story of 11-year-old Nanny. She is a clever and spirited girl who lives in a small home on the beach with her eccentric parents and 13-year-old brother, Casey. It's a tough summer. While Nanny is trying to figure out who she is and who her real friends are, her family is falling apart. Her father is an underemployed writer, so money is scarce. Her mother is a bleeding-heart liberal and religious fanatic prone to depression. Her brother is experimenting with drugs and hanging out with a rough crowd. Meanwhile, her mother's best friend, Natalie, and her Uncle Ed have been doing unmentionable things. To make matters worse, many of the town's fathers are leaving their families, finding new wives and having new babies. What is happening? In an attempt to figure out who she is and her place in the world, Nanny looks to the adults around her. However, she seems more mature than they are as they struggle with their pain, disappointments, and addictions.

If you were born in the mid-1950s and were a child or teenager in the 1960s, this book will particularly resonate with you. It is a character-driven book with not much of a plot, but the characters are so strong and unconventional that it completely held my interest.

This novel is filled with both joy and darkness and will transport you to another time and place.

It's ordinary people, full of flaws, dealing with change and crisis.

Anne writes with great affection. She vividly描绘s the lives and struggles of these individuals.

We see how they face the unexpected challenges that come their way.

Despite their imperfections, they strive to adapt and find solutions.

Anne's words bring their stories to life, making us empathize with their situations.

We witness their moments of doubt and fear, as well as their glimmers of hope and determination.

Her writing shows that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, ordinary people have the strength and courage to persevere.

It is through their flaws and vulnerabilities that we see their true humanity.

Anne's affectionate portrayal reminds us that we are all in this together, facing the changes and crises of life with varying degrees of success and failure.

Her words offer a source of inspiration and comfort, encouraging us to embrace our own flaws and find the courage to navigate the unknown.

I have a particular preference for her essays. However, this book is truly a captivating one, filled with a plethora of interesting characters.

Throughout the pages, there are numerous references to religion, specifically the Catholic Church and the people who hold their beliefs dear.

These references add depth and complexity to the story, offering readers a unique perspective on the role of faith in the lives of the characters.

The author's exploration of these themes is both thought-provoking and engaging, making it a worthwhile read for those interested in religion, character studies, or simply a good story.

Overall, while I may still have a soft spot for her essays, this book has definitely left an impression on me with its rich and diverse cast of characters and its exploration of religious themes.

I made up my mind to read All New People. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, it has been sitting on my TBR (To Be Read) bookcase for a considerable length of time. Secondly, I am going to meet Anne Lamott next week and I wanted to be refreshed about her energy and writing style.

I have a suspicion that All New People leans more towards being a memoir rather than a novel. I truly admire her extremely quick wit. Her intelligence is also something that I hold in high regard. Additionally, her life experiences and her writing are both very inspiring.

The description of the sixties and seventies as lived in northern California with educated liberal parents is really enjoyable to read. It gives a vivid picture of that era and the lifestyle. Moreover, her light and well-crafted humor is like a precious gift. It adds a unique charm to her writing and makes the reading experience even more delightful.

I am really looking forward to delving into this book and uncovering all the wonderful things that it has to offer. I believe it will be a great read and will further enhance my appreciation for Anne Lamott's work.

Just a Fun Read

Reading can be a truly enjoyable experience, especially when it's just for fun.

It allows us to escape from the daily grind and immerse ourselves in different worlds, stories, and characters.

Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, or a hilarious comedy, there's a book out there for everyone to enjoy.

Not only does reading for fun provide entertainment, but it can also improve our vocabulary, language skills, and overall knowledge.

It's a great way to relax and unwind after a long day, or to pass the time on a rainy afternoon.

So, the next time you're looking for something to do, pick up a good book and just have fun reading!

You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it.

And who knows, maybe you'll discover a new favorite author or genre along the way.

Happy reading!

All New People reads like an exaggerated memoir.

It has a certain charm that draws you in, yet it doesn't quite reach the heights of some other literary works. I remember liking Anne Lamont’s Bird by Bird very much. That book had a unique appeal, a depth and authenticity that made it truly remarkable.

However, when it comes to All New People, I would not rank it as highly. It's not quite a novel in the traditional sense. Instead, it feels more like a package of various slices of life, randomly assembled.

It's like a sampler of sandwich meat, where you get a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but it doesn't quite form a cohesive whole.

Nevertheless, there are still some interesting moments and insights within its pages that make it worth reading, just not in the same league as some of the greats.

There never really was much of a coherent plot with this one.

It just seemed to meander aimlessly around amongst a cast of rather oddball relatives and friends.

The characters, unfortunately, never really managed to stand out in a significant way to me.

Not even Nanny, who I thought might have been a more central and interesting figure.

I would've really liked to have seen more in-depth exploration of Nanny's friendship with Pru.

Because it felt as if that was where the true essence and real story was hidden.

But sadly, Pru was relegated to just a meager handful of pages towards the end of the book.

The ending of the novel was highly disappointing.

It really wasn't much of an ending at all.

It got extremely strange, especially as far as the wedding scene finale was concerned.

I found it incredibly hard to understand exactly what was going on.

There was probably some overly artsy-fartsy literary subtext that I simply missed.

But oh well, such is life with some books.

My Original Notes (1998):

Fair to good. I managed to complete it, so it wasn't overly terrible. However, it simply wasn't very engaging. I just wrapped it up last night, yet I can scarcely recall the names of the characters. Essentially, it's a tale about a young girl named Nanny Goodman and her childhood life. There are the conflicts between her parents, her uncle's illegitimate daughter, divorce, drugs, and puberty. Set in Marin County, California, it almost teeters on the edge of being dull.

My Current Thoughts:

Prior to delving into All New People, I had only perused one other book penned by Anne Lamott, namely Bird by Bird. Subsequently, I have read Traveling Mercies and Operating Instructions. Alongside Bird by Bird, these are both nonfiction works. I hold mixed emotions regarding Lamott's abrasive tone. Nevertheless, I am still drawn to her books and her self-deprecating sense of humor. It's as if her unique writing style, with its rough edges, has a certain allure that keeps me coming back for more. Despite the initial off-putting nature of her tone, there is something endearing and relatable about her self-deprecation that makes her books a worthwhile read.

A Lovely story indeed, filled with quietly cinematic moments that seem to transport the reader into a different world. It should be considered required reading for all Baby Boomers, as it holds a mirror up to their own childhood experiences. I found myself seeing so much of my childhood self in Nan. The pain she endured, the loss she suffered, the confusion that clouded her young mind, and the joy that managed to break through it all - it was all so relatable. The characters that people her life are not just two-dimensional; they are 5-D and absolutely fabulous. Each one adds depth and texture to the story, making it a truly immersive experience. It's a story that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page, leaving you with a sense of nostalgia and a deeper understanding of the human experience.