A Slipping-Down Life

By Anne Tyler,

Book cover of A Slipping-Down Life

Book description

'Wickedly good' John Updike

In a small Southern town, shy teenager Evie Decker becomes obsessed with local rock singer Bertram 'Drumstrings' Casey, and decides to take her life into her own hands. When she manages to meet him, she bursts out of her lonely shell and their two lives become…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked A Slipping-Down Life as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book has one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever come across in fiction. Evie Decker is an introverted and slightly eccentric teen living in small-town America whose ordinary life takes a completely different turn when she hears a young musician, Drumsticks Casey, being interviewed on the radio. Anne Tyler can be depended on to create fascinatingly quirky characters – I’ve long been a big fan of her writing – but I think she outdid herself with Evie. The story is unexpected and moving and funny and sad – really, it provides all the feels. The evolving relationship between…

From Roisin's list on the messiness of life and love.

Want books like A Slipping-Down Life?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like A Slipping-Down Life.

Browse books like A Slipping-Down Life

Book cover of Lolita
Book cover of Atonement
Book cover of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,171

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in rock music, North Carolina, and coming of age?

Rock Music 245 books
North Carolina 134 books
Coming Of Age 1,374 books