John Irving Recommendations

[SixPins]

Hey there fellow book folk! I am currently knee deep in A Prayer for Owen Meany, and it is simply terrific. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard reading a book, not to mention how touching the characters are and how emotional the story is. I really think this is going to get a top spot on my bookshelf, but I am not finished yet so lets keep those major spoilers hushed.

Anyway, seeing as how this is my first Irving, I would like to read some more of his work, but there seems to be alot of mixed feelings towards his other novels. Anyone have a favorite of his novels excluding A Prayer for Owen Meany?

[michal]

Oh - you've hit a nerve. He's one of my all time favorite authors and I've read most of his books several times.

The World According to Garp is one of my own personal favorites (and most other people's I think), The Hotel New Hampshire has that same combination of sad and hilarious moments as Owen Meany (with some extremely surreal moments) and The Cider House Rules is very special and has a dreamy, almost magical quality to it. A Widow for One Year is absolutely incredible and Until I Find You is one of his latest and a real saga-like tale.

Read any of those, and we can open our own discussion group...

[EMARX]

You can't really go wrong with Irving. He will always hit you right in the gut. His newest will be out in October.

[Moderator]

A shameless plug for The Haven Foundation - we still have signed copies of John Irving's Until I Find You available for $40 plus shipping. You can order them here. We do accept international orders. Please remember that for those, there may be additional customs charges depending upon where you live that are not included in the order and will be charged by your area's taxing authorities.

[sam peebles]

I'll second Michal and definitely go with The World According to Garp. Since you're already reading Owen Meany, after that and Garp, I'd go with the Cider House Rules.

[SusanNorton]

Definitely Cider House Rules, definitely Garp and Widow. I also really liked Son of the Circus, though I understand it's not for everyone.

One of my personal favorites is The Water-Method Man. It was his second book, I believe, and though it doesn't have the same breadth as the other novels it is hysterically funny, and just a great story.

Good reading!

[SixPins]

Thanks everyone! I think I will check out Garp for sure after Owen Meany.

When I read the part about Grandma Wheelwright getting soaked in her night gown and then making Owen scream, which caused Lydia to jump up and run into her dresser... I think I was crying.