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Tinkers
Tinkers | Paul Harding
An old man lies dying. As time collapses into memory, he travels deep into his past where he is reunited with his father and relives the wonder and pain of his impoverished New England youth. At once heartbreaking and life affirming, Tinkers is an elegiac meditation on love, loss, and the fierce beauty of nature.
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review
Tamra
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Pickpick

4⭐️ Such poignant & lyrical writing connecting three generations of men who knew one another only on a surface level. It‘s all about the nature of time, memory, consciousness, the perception of ourselves and others. It‘s actually quite difficult to describe. Worthy of a reread. It isn‘t 5 stars because I found some of the technical clock passages a bit too detailed.

Lots of lovely nature writing! 💚

59 likes3 stack adds
quote
Tamra
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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The paragraph is in reference to the MC‘s father, a rural tinker, making his rounds in late fall.

Beautiful writing!

Cathythoughts Beautiful ♥️ 1y
43 likes1 comment
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Anna40
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Mehso-so

This book was not for me. It is too slow and meanders into nothing.

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Gstangelo
Tinkers | Paul Harding
Pickpick

Quality, not quantity. Quick read but plenty to think about. We all know George. He is either our father, grandfather, brother, or uncle. He might even be ourselves. The author‘s prose is captivating yet abstruse. Good book.

quote
Gstangelo
Tinkers | Paul Harding

“As his eyes closed, he still heard the gurgling and felt the nerveless weight of his body, but also felt himself falling away from it, as if he were lying just beneath the contours and boundaries of something that had formerly fit him perfectly, and which to fully inhabit meant to be in this world.”

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BookieBiker
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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3 cats, one 100# dog somehow just out of sight, and a fire. How else to begin a day reading?

Crazeedi I often get this look too😼 5y
13 likes1 comment
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alexa_d
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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I mean, she's not exactly wrong (the man in question is on his deathbed, so...)

1 like1 stack add
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alexa_d
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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1. 👆
2. Reading! While visiting my parents and also babysitting the dog for a night while they go babysit their grandkids/my niblings, lol. I'll probably use the time to dig through the books I have stored in their basement.
3. Cherry Garcia!
4. If you sit me at a piano or hand me a guitar and let me stare at the sheet music for about an hour, you may eventually discern a tune you vaguely recognize.
5. #friyayintro #morelikesaturyaylol

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alexa_d
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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A dying old man reminiscing about New England winters past as one of my last Cape Cod beach reads this summer? Why not! #Pulitzer (Fiction, 2010)

review
atla
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Pickpick

I loved this book - luscious descriptions of nature and character. This was my final push to break up with Goodreads. I picked this up from a Little Free Library and took a chance on it. Goodreads rating is only 3.38. Later, on Indie Bookstore Day, I found myself checking Goodreads ratings on every book I picked up, passing on most due to the rating. Goodreads has led to me not trusting my literary intuition and losing the joy of the unexpected.

BarbaraBB Trust your intuition 👍🏼💜 6y
stephothebesto I know what you mean about Goodreads- it seems like everything is either a 3.4-3.8 or a rabid 5 stars from the fandom (no shade, I'm occasionally one of those...). One of my recent favs (tagged) comes in at a 3.7, which sounds low. 5y
6 likes2 comments
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ReadosaurusText
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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I just went to The Dial Bookshop in Chicago and it was GORGEOUS! I found these two used books in pristine condition. I am in love. 🥰

8little_paws I love that store 6y
ReadosaurusText @8little_paws I can‘t stop thinking about it!!! 6y
Blaire Crossing to safety is wonderful!! 6y
ReadosaurusText @Blaire I‘ve heard the best things about it! So glad I found this used copy! 6y
63 likes4 comments
quote
atla
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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“A move of the head, a step to the left or right, and we change [...] Light changes, and our eyes blink and see the world from the slightest difference of perspective and our place in it had changed infinitely: [...] His despair had not come from the fact that he was a fool; he knew he was a fool. His despair came from the fact that his wife saw him as a fool [...] and could find no reason to turn her head and see him as something better.”

review
Pedrocamacho
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Pickpick

Somewhat obscure but always wonderfully written, I enjoyed his book.

quote
JosieFeather
Tinkers | Paul Harding

And as the axe bites into the wood, be comforted in the fact that the ache in your heart and the confusion in your soul means that you are still alive, still human, and still open to the beauty of the world, even though you have done nothing to deserve it.

quote
steph_phanie
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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"And as the ax bites into the wood be comforted in the fact that the ache in your heart and the confusion in your soul means that you are still alive, still human, and still open to the beauty of the world, even though you have done nothing to deserve it. And when you resent the ache in your heart, remember: You will be dead and buried soon enough."

#bookquote #PaulHarding #Tinkers #human #recommend #pain #lifeanddeath #family #memory

5 likes2 stack adds
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CrowCAH
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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#HeyJune #AnytimeAtAll https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=txSs2FFRt8s

One character in this book tinkers with clocks. I recall the one scene where the narrator explained that if you sit long enough, all the clocks would tick in unison and then beat separately. 🕰

GypsyKat Very cool! ❤️ 6y
Cinfhen Awesome photo🙌🏻 6y
66 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Vbrrgirl
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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@Syndelle777 Ready for #4in48readathon. Thinking The Stranger, Tinkers and Disgrace will work for the #litsyclassicschallenge also. @Sarah83

BeansPage I'm liking it! ❤️ Be sure to update us on your status throughout the weekend 😃 7y
Sarah83 Looks great 7y
14 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Ethands
Tinkers | Paul Harding
Pickpick

This fucking book made me cry too many times.
More about the relationships between fathers and sons over 3 generations of this fictional family.
The examples of a father walking out, overworked, and funny enough good parenting in the mix.
A small book with alot of realistic characters.
This book helped me come to grips with my family problems when I read it as a teen. That being said as an adult I still cherish this book. 10/10

Trashcanman What a moving review. 7y
Ethands Thank you. 7y
6 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Dan_SpiderCrafts
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Tinkers, at the Sutton bookshop. This one has been long waiting on my Goodreads list. ? I can hear yous thinking, "Go back for that Dorothy figurine!" Going for coffee wasn't too long before I looked at this again, and went snow-bunny-hopping back there.

TrishB It is rather lovely ❤️ 7y
32 likes1 comment
quote
megnews
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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"This is a book...I found...in the attic. ... The air was stale with dust. The dust was from old pictures and books. The dust in the air was made up of the book I found. I breathed the book before I saw it; tasted the book before I read it."

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megnews
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Just started thanks to a review at @SubwayBookReview

CrowCAH Genius; love this book! And I met Paul Harding last year, such a vibrant speaker and really personable! 7y
9 likes1 comment
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jeniaileen
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Pickpick

Cold and harsh, but also rewarding. I #cried throughout the last chapter and felt no shame. It is a wonderful book in regards to understanding #death and #memories. #tinkers #paulharding

2 likes1 stack add
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SubwayBookReview
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Jade: "It's a really nice rumination about the perception of life. The main character is 90 and the book is about the last hours before his death. He remembers all the little moments that make him who he is. He looks around his room and sees trinkets he has collected – I relate to that. I have numbers tattooed on my back that signify important dates in my life. I'll add to it as I live. Hopefully they will reach all the way down my back."

coffeewithbooks This book sounds interesting . I also love tattoos and want to get a couple. Thanks for sharing .😊💕 7y
GAustin I didn't get it. Not for me. A Pulitzer I could not figure out why it was one. 7y
Everyday_grey Just finished this book probably not even 5 days ago. It took me so long to read for a 200 page book but I've never found a book that tells a generational tale of Death and dying with such sincerity and beauty. 7y
92 likes19 stack adds3 comments
blurb
ericarobynreads
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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A total miss for me. What in the world was that first chapter?! I pushed through this one because it is my book club read. Ugh. Check out all of my thoughts here: http://ericarobynreads.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-tinkers-by-paul-harding....

8 likes2 stack adds
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CrowCAH
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Pickpick

This was such a great book when I read it for my university class "Stalking the Pilitzer"; I can see why it won! My favorite part was "hearing" all the old clocks tick ticking, then tick in unison, to tock out of unison once again. #signedcopy #onewordtitle #photoadaynov16

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Fab
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Pickpick

I finished it yesterday, I loved for multiple reasons. One of them is the way how is written. It has a sonorous. The author has the ability of tangled three lives, or better said two with a short vision of a third, in a series of waves between allucinations and memories, merely thoughts with random conversations. A book inside a book, a life inside another. A must.

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shawnmooney
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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INFINITY BOOKS (GREAT USED BOOKSTORE IN TOKYO) FIND #9 (last one)

I love finding 'used' books in brand new condition!

GuiltyFeat Short but dense. I remember thinking it was good, but I don't remember much else. 8y
CrowCAH @shawnmooney I like your tinkers cover; clocks! 8y
53 likes3 stack adds2 comments
review
balletbookworm
Tinkers | Paul Harding
Mehso-so

For such a small book - that read rather quickly - it felt very boring. It started out very well with George's timeline, then switching back and forth with his father Howard's, and then it got off into a first-person section that didn't seem to make sense, and then stuck with Howard for quite a long time. It sort of drained the emotion out of it. Beautiful writing though.

balletbookworm And how did the family survive after Howard left them?? I want to know! Did I miss something? 8y
shawnmooney Just bought it today at a used bookstore in Tokyo, Japan! 8y
Gulfsidemusing I got bored and bailed -chalked it up to mood. May try again one day... 8y
MicheleinPhilly Completely agree. For such a tiny book it felt like a 600-page slog. 8y
23 likes3 stack adds4 comments
review
Kitta
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Pickpick

I found this a little tough to get into initially - the language is rich and follows the hallucinations of a dying man, so possibly you're supposed to drift with it... but it's still hard to follow. Once it gets going though, wow. Definitely can see why it's won the Pulitzer!

Beautiful descriptions and wandering between narrators, this is definitely something I loved, but I can see it not suiting everyone.

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Kitta
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Just started reading this - I've never bought a book with rough pages before and definitely DO NOT like this. So hard to separate! I can't turn pages with one hand anymore! ARGH. Doubt it'll ruin the book for me though, the quality of writing so far is superb.

8 likes1 stack add
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Aleida
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Wouldn't have time to go through all my books, but this one is minimalistic.

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Bookchipmunk
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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My favorite bookmarks are these book lists from my favorite bookstore. Powell's in Portland Oregon is a must visit for all book lovers! #Powells

Carol Powell's is incredible! 💖📚💖📚💖📚💖 8y
ReadingEnvy I was just in Oregon and miss Powells already. My Mom had to ship me the books I got. ☺️😍 8y
Bookchipmunk @ReadingEnvy too much fun! 8y
22 likes3 comments
review
Sandraf
Tinkers | Paul Harding
Bailedbailed

I just couldn't get into this book. I only made it through chapter 1. It bounces back and forth between father and son and with a few stories I thought I'd create a connection with the characters but most of the book just dragged. I'll try again in a few years when I have more time.

ericarobynreads Chapter one was by far the worst. It was so hard to follow! The next two chapters are easier to read, but to me they were still boring. Good luck if you pick this one up again! 😁 8y
2 likes1 comment
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bookish_wookish
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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When you leave a book in your car and forget its there for months, then you find it and realize your bookmark is in the middle of the book and you cant remember for the life of you what the first part of the book is about!! #bookwormproblems

BookishFeminist I hate that! It especially drives me nuts when I intentionally put a book down intending to pick it up the next week or something and then like 2 months has flown by 💁🏻At least Tinkers is a short read! 8y
bookish_wookish i know!! i dont even remember leaving it in the car!! @BookishFeminist 8y
19 likes1 stack add2 comments
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CAGirlReading
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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Pickpick

A short but excellent book following the lives of a father and son. A similar feel to Gilead by Marilynne Robinson but the author has his own distinctive writing style.

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MeganGranger
Tinkers | Paul Harding
Pickpick

I'm not totally sure what I just read, but I know it was flipping gorgeous. So.

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MeganGranger
Tinkers | Paul Harding
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"Be comforted in the fact that the ache in your heart and the confusion in your soul means that you are still alive, still human, and still open to the beauty of the world, even though you have done nothing to deserve it."