I read a lot of John Irving in the 90s and then drifted away from him for quite a while. Since then I've tried getting through a couple of his later novels with mixed results. I just now gave up on The Last Chairlift. It hurt to do so, but life is short and that book was driving me batshit. Maybe it's time for another re-reading of Owen Meany or The Cider House Rules to remind me of how much I loved this author back then.
I've thought the same thing frequently -- it's time for a reread of Owen Meany or Cider House Rules (his new novel out this fall is a prequel to Cider House Rules!) rather than keep reading In One Person or Avenue of Mysteries. 😅
What are some of your other favorites of Irving’s? Having loved Owen Meany oh so many years ago, I picked up “The World According to Garp” a few weeks back and… it took some discipline for me to finish it. Just didn’t have the poetry and the downright genius that I felt in a “Prayer for Owen Meany.”
Such an incredible novel! This makes me want to reread it!
SAME! As I was writing this, I'd open to a random page and start reading, and I often had to force myself to stop.
I read a lot of John Irving in the 90s and then drifted away from him for quite a while. Since then I've tried getting through a couple of his later novels with mixed results. I just now gave up on The Last Chairlift. It hurt to do so, but life is short and that book was driving me batshit. Maybe it's time for another re-reading of Owen Meany or The Cider House Rules to remind me of how much I loved this author back then.
I've thought the same thing frequently -- it's time for a reread of Owen Meany or Cider House Rules (his new novel out this fall is a prequel to Cider House Rules!) rather than keep reading In One Person or Avenue of Mysteries. 😅
What a great tribute. I love books!
Hooray books!
What are some of your other favorites of Irving’s? Having loved Owen Meany oh so many years ago, I picked up “The World According to Garp” a few weeks back and… it took some discipline for me to finish it. Just didn’t have the poetry and the downright genius that I felt in a “Prayer for Owen Meany.”
Great question! I'd say:
1. Owen Meany
2. Garp -- (idk I just loved it too -- but you're right that it's not in the same tier as Owen Meany)
3. A Widow for One Year
4. Cider House Rules
5. Last Night In Twisted River