Book 34- Noah's Compass

I don't get it. I just don't get it, and I didn't like it. I swear this is the year of "Books I Hate" because it doesn't seem there are many I'm enjoying, and I do apologize. But we can add Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler to the list.

In summary, the revolves around Liam Pennywell who gets "downsized" from his teaching job, which he was over qualified for since he is a philosopher, at age 60. He then decides to move into a smaller apartment. The day after he moves in, he awakens in the hospital with no memory of how he got there. He has three daughters to whom he is emotionally detached. He is twice divorced and he is just plodding through life, unassuming and socially inept.

In his quest to regain his lost memory of his burglar experience, he meets another social outcast in Eunice, a quirky, and shy and a bit 'out there' woman. They become friends and then start sating and Liam thinks he's found someone with whom he can spend the rest of his life, however short, and maybe find some redemption as he discovers what a failure he was in his life.

I realize Tyler writes in plain language with subtle humor but rather than finding her mismatched cast of characters quirky and fun or lovable, I just get frustrated. I find they're sad people, and rather depressing.