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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, Vomit, Medical content, War
A prayer for Owen Meany was my favorite book in high school and after having Friday Night Lights give a shout out to Garp I thought I'd revisit John Irving. I really liked the first 100 pages but lost interest and quit at 210. I feel bad, but not bad enough to keep reading.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this excellent book in audiobook and was really surprised by the low quality of the sound. The sound is usually so much better with Audible!
Nonetheless, I loved this book, this journey, immensely, and appreciated the special author's note at the end. I love John Irving!
Proof he's just a great novelist: there's one scene in the book that actually haunted me for days after I read it, and that I don't think I will ever forget it. The infamous scene of the accident. Wow. Everything that built up to it, then everything that happened after, made a big impression on me. The descriptions are so vivid, that I felt like I was watching a movie, but it was even better than watching a movie. Because, book, you know.
Nonetheless, I loved this book, this journey, immensely, and appreciated the special author's note at the end. I love John Irving!
Proof he's just a great novelist: there's one scene in the book that actually haunted me for days after I read it, and that I don't think I will ever forget it. The infamous scene of the accident. Wow. Everything that built up to it, then everything that happened after, made a big impression on me. The descriptions are so vivid, that I felt like I was watching a movie, but it was even better than watching a movie. Because, book, you know.
Rounding up for sentimental reasons. A lot to love here, and a lot...not to love.
600 and I got through it without hitting a wall. That right there means it's at least 4 star worthy. The story is solid. Kinda felt like a Conroy novel, but more interesting and less wishy washy. The funny bit about reading this book is that it was the only book ever where multiple men came up to me to say "good book" "that's my favorite book" "ooh, how do you like that one?"...and as the opening pages was about a nurse humping a patient which then followed up with a castration which then followed up with multiple affairs (non descriptive, but yet descriptive) I can see how this falls under some sort of dude lit (as opposed to sci-fi/nerd/fan fic). This is basically a romance novel for guys. Not the best thing I've ever read, but done well, fast read for not being a fast read, and kept me interested. Solid A-.
This book is so complicated that I find it difficult to discuss right away. I need time to let it sink in. What I can say is that I couldn't put it down. I'm honestly not sure if I liked it or not, though. I'll revise this review once I've come to a conclusion.
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It had been so long since I last read this that there was a lot I didn’t remember. Still a fabulous read that I know I will read again one day.