Book Review: The Ramblers by Aidan Donnelley Rowley

We were given the opportunity to read The Ramblers by Aidan Donnelly Rowley.  Read below to find out what this book is about and to see what the Vise Library thought about it!

About the book:

For fans of J. Courtney Sullivan, Meg Wolitzer, Claire Messud, and Emma Straub, a gorgeous and absorbing novel of a trio of confused souls struggling to find themselves and the way forward in their lives, set against the spectacular backdrop of contemporary New York City.

Set in the most magical parts of Manhattan—the Upper West Side, Central Park, Greenwich Village—The Ramblers explores the lives of three lost souls, bound together by friendship and family. During the course of one fateful Thanksgiving week, a time when emotions run high and being with family can be a mixed blessing, Rowley’s sharply defined characters explore the moments when decisions are deliberately made, choices accepted, and pasts reconciled.

Clio Marsh, whose bird-watching walks through Central Park are mentioned in New York Magazine, is taking her first tentative steps towards a relationship while also looking back to the secrets of her broken childhood. Her best friend, Smith Anderson, the seemingly-perfect daughter of one of New York’s wealthiest families, organizes the lives of others as her own has fallen apart. And Tate Pennington has returned to the city, heartbroken but determined to move ahead with his artistic dreams.

Rambling through the emotional chaos of their lives, this trio learns to let go of the past, to make room for the future and the uncertainty and promise that it holds. The Ramblers is a love letter to New York City—an accomplished, sumptuous novel about fate, loss, hope, birds, friendship, love, the wonders of the natural world and the mysteries of the human spirit. 

The three characters (Clio, Smith and Tate) in this book are at a crossroads in their lives.  Just because things appear good on the outside for some, there is definitely some hidden turmoil going on under the surface.  This novel explores themes of divorce, illness and family struggles.  Each character in some way examines their life in order to seek a brighter future.  You will experience this story from multiple points of view which provides a glimpse into the characters' voice.  This book is complex and also makes you sympathize with each character.  This is a great in depth and makes you analyze your own issues.  An amazing read!  

Find it: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

About the author (taken from author's website):

My name is Aidan Donnelley Rowley. I am a novelist living in New York City with my husband and three young daughters, whom I’ve affectionately dubbed the Rowlets (and Big Girl, Middle Girl, and Little Girl on this blog). I was born here in Manhattan and am the middle of five sisters. I studied philosophy at Yale, went to law school at Columbia, and practiced as a litigation associate at a big firm for a short while before jumping ship to write full-time. My first novel Life After Yes was published in 2010 and my second novel The Ramblers will be published by William Morrow in February 2016.

I started this blog, originally called Ivy League Insecurities, in 2009. At the time, I was anticipating the publication of my first book, in the trenches of parenting young kids (my eldest two were 2.5 and five months at the time) and I’d recently lost my father to cancer. Long story short, I was a bit of a mess and came here, to write, and to process my life. For the past six-plus years, I’ve continued to come here and share bits and pieces of myself and my life. I’ve written, and continue to write and ask questions, about identity, parenthood, sisterhood, marriage, loss, presence, alcohol, anxiety, nature, books and more. I cherish this spot and connecting with my readers.

Connect with the author:

Website | Twitter |Facebook | Goodreads