runner Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 A few weeks ago I was in the doldrums over what to read next, bored with the same old..same old...but that has all changed!! I started reading yesterday A Widow for One Year by John Irving, and I cannot leave it down I am now half way through...this is the first Irving I have read...where has he been all my life..or where have I been that I have failed to notice his books and writing style. This is fantastic, emotional, erotic, humorous, horrific, sad, happy...need I go on story telling at it's best....and I am devouring it So what next? What John Irving can you recommend...I plan to go into Waterstones this week as his books are on a 3 for 2 (and I also have a voucher)...what should I read next...what will keep my mojo happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixie Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 My suggestion would be A Prayer For Owen Meany or The World According to Garp. You can't go wrong with either one. I wouldn't suggest The Cider House Rules. I know it is considered one of his better novels, but this is one by Irving I couldn't even finish. It was overly descriptive and lacked sympathetic characters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chonsim Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 A second vote for A Prayer for Owen Meany. I did like Cider House Rules, but it does deal with the subject of abortion pretty graphically. I've also read The Hotel New Hampshire which was pretty good, but very out there on the quirkiness scale. I listened to Widow for One Year, and that was definitely one that made me want to go back to doing my work so that I could continue listening to what was going to happen next! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 I recently finished A Widow For One Year, thanks to an excellent recommendation from Pontalba. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking out for another of his books too. http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/5939-pontalbas-2010-reading-list/page__view__findpost__p__220472 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidsmum Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 I recently finished A Widow For One Year, thanks to an excellent recommendation from Pontalba. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking out for another of his books too. http://www.bookclubf...post__p__220472 Another one that's on my TBR pile, good to hear it was worth the 50p I shelled out for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 A few weeks ago I was in the doldrums over what to read next, bored with the same old..same old...but that has all changed!! I started reading yesterday A Widow for One Year by John Irving, and I cannot leave it down I am now half way through...this is the first Irving I have read...where has he been all my life..or where have I been that I have failed to notice his books and writing style. This is fantastic, emotional, erotic, humorous, horrific, sad, happy...need I go on story telling at it's best....and I am devouring it So what next? What John Irving can you recommend...I plan to go into Waterstones this week as his books are on a 3 for 2 (and I also have a voucher)...what should I read next...what will keep my mojo happy Yays! I'm so pleased to hear that you are enjoying it as much as I did. I recently finished A Widow For One Year, thanks to an excellent recommendation from Pontalba. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking out for another of his books too. http://www.bookclubf...post__p__220472 poppy, you've made my day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metasearcher Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I recently read "Last Night in Twisted River" - my first book written by Irving. I would definitely read other books of this author. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I recently read "Last Night in Twisted River" - my first book written by Irving. I would definitely read other books of this author. We just bought that one the other day. Great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison10 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I have never read any of his but will now be looking out for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heffalumpi Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 I too would recommend 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' - it is my favourite book and one that I always come back to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I'm reading The World According To Garp now. There's something compulsive about his books, once you start, you can't put them down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Library Nook Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I have mooched one of his from Bookmooch after reading this thread so thanks! I will let you know how I get on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I'm reading The World According To Garp now. There's something compulsive about his books, once you start, you can't put them down. /groan/ I have it on the shelf...must get back to Irving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diemperdidi Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 A Prayer for Owen Meany is amazing. It's such an extraordinary concept, written in the most believable way. I also really enjoyed Hotel New Hampshire. I really like John Irving. I've asked for Last Night In Twisted River for Christmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 I've never tried John Irving myself and to be honest, I've never even felt curious about his novels. Sure, I've seen some as movies, and they're okayish, but to me it seems that all his novels are extremely lengthy and it would take some serious recommending by one of my bookish friends who I know has an excellent taste to actually try one of his novels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Books do furnish a room Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 I've recently started The Cider House Rules and I am enjoying it. It is long and not an easy read, but it is compeling and deals with difficult subjects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garp44 Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 I have nearly read all of John Irving's books, and I love them all except for a couple. My favorites are, 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' and 'a widow for one year'. His latest books have not been as good in my view, but I'm hopeful on 'last night in twisted river' which I have yet to read; It's sitting on my self waiting for me. The world according to Garp is another favorite, but this book seem so old now, and I read it so long ago, but it did give me a good username. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlette Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 I haven't noticed this topic until just now. I've only read two novels by Irving - The Cider House Rules and The World According to Garp - but I must say I count him amongst my favourite authors; The Cider House Rules especially is one of the most exceptional books I've ever read. I admire the way he writes about sensitive and difficult issues. I'm looking forward to reading his latest novel as soon as I have a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bree Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 The World According To Garp came highly recommended to me, around a decade back - and I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Reading this thread has made me want to revisit it - hopefully I've grown since then, and can like it better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julie Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Another vote for Owen Meany -- also one of my all time favorites. Irving has an edge to his writing.Some of his books are a little TOO much on edge for my taste .Very graphic and detailed ,some highly personal subject matter,so most are hard for me to get through. Owen was absolutely perfect in every way. Hotel New Hampshire would be a second, but not nearly the caliber of Owen . I haven't even attempted any of his newer ones ,so not sure how they'd be . Maybe I should give one a try . For those who like Irving, try Richard Russo. He reminds me a lot of the way Irving writes. My favorite of his is The Risk Pool, which is one of his older books. I also liked Nobody's Fool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurizio Pietrantuono Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Owen Meany is a surprising book, his other novels not so interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 I've never tried John Irving myself and to be honest, I've never even felt curious about his novels. Sure, I've seen some as movies, and they're okayish, but to me it seems that all his novels are extremely lengthy and it would take some serious recommending by one of my bookish friends who I know has an excellent taste to actually try one of his novels. I've tried The Water-Method Man since, and I couldn't get into it... Has anyone read it? My boss is a big fan of John Irving and she's convinced me to try his books. I can't remember which one she recommended, I've written it down somewhere but I can't find the piece of paper. However, I'm really liking the sound of his latest novel and I have reserved a copy from the library Has anyone read it yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timebug Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 I read 'Garp' years ago and have to say it left me totally underwhelmed! Many of my friends loved it, so it was obviously a matter of taste! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 I read 'Garp' years ago and have to say it left me totally underwhelmed! Many of my friends loved it, so it was obviously a matter of taste! Not that I've read any of Irving's books myself, but my boss has said that Garp isn't his best novel. Do you think you'd like to try some other one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timebug Posted August 13, 2016 Share Posted August 13, 2016 I have so many new authors to check out, plus new works from favourite authors appearing all the time, I honestly don't think I can be bothered to try again! One book,whilst not a true guide, generally gives a flavour of the writer,and Garp failed for me, so no. I appreciate your thinking though,and were I much younger I would probably give him another try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.