You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
I really liked the short stories, but sometimes they ended very abruptly. Some of them could have been more elaborated as well.
The tributes were my least favorite part of the book, because I found them a bit boring and one-dimensional.
The tributes were my least favorite part of the book, because I found them a bit boring and one-dimensional.
Trying to Save Piggy Sneed is a most interesting assortment of memoir, short stories, and essays. I enjoyed Irving's stories about wrestling and being a referee for that sport, his intriguing short stories, and the explanations of them that followed. Also, he has quite a few interesting anecdotes, especially the one about meeting Thomas Mann's daughter on a plane, quite by coincidence. (Elizabeth Mann Borgese was an oceanographer who had trained her dog, Claudio, to play piano. I am not making this up.)
John Irving's stories and commentary about other writers and novels always inspires me to read more. That Great Expectations was the work that made Irving want to write may propel me to read it again sometime, and certainly to read more Dickens.
Of the short stories featured in this collection, I was especially captivated by The Pension Grillparzer, and the commentary that followed. Shockingly, I have still not read The World According to Garp, but when I do, I will have a special appreciation for it...
My copy of this book is a paperback that is identified as fiction on its spine. As usual, that's not the entire picture. Anyone who enjoys John Irving will find much of interest in this memoir.
John Irving's stories and commentary about other writers and novels always inspires me to read more. That Great Expectations was the work that made Irving want to write may propel me to read it again sometime, and certainly to read more Dickens.
Of the short stories featured in this collection, I was especially captivated by The Pension Grillparzer, and the commentary that followed. Shockingly, I have still not read The World According to Garp, but when I do, I will have a special appreciation for it...
My copy of this book is a paperback that is identified as fiction on its spine. As usual, that's not the entire picture. Anyone who enjoys John Irving will find much of interest in this memoir.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
John Irving is hands down my favorite contemporary author. I'm always nervous that the next thing I read will change my opinion of him, but I just love him more the more of his work I read. When I realized this was a mix of memoirs, short fiction, and nonfiction, my usual anxiety kicked in. Maybe eventually I will learn to let that go. Like everything else I have read from Irving, this book surpassed all my expectations.
Beginning with memoirs, Irving sets the pace for an intimate look at his private life. Like his fiction, the memoirs are full of rich, vibrant details and "characters." The short stories in the middle are beautifully created and often harken back to his larger works. Three nonfiction pieces (two on the subject of Dickens and one of Gunter Grass) end the book.
One of the things I love the most about this collection is that every piece has an author's note at the end. These notes are less informative of the work preceding and more an insight from Irving about the writing process itself and the details that were going on in his life surrounding that piece. Having these notes after each work creates a dialogue between Irving and himself that is so thrilling for someone who is a big fan of his work already. The notes set this book apart and create a special piece of art for those who love Irving and writing in general.
This is something I think I will come back to once I have read more of Irving. Even with the few novels I have read, I picked up on a lot of insights from the memoir section (even without taking the notes into consideration). It is so cool to see how his writing is informed by his experiences and to get just a small glimpse of his wonderful mind. I highly recommend this book for any Irving fan.
Beginning with memoirs, Irving sets the pace for an intimate look at his private life. Like his fiction, the memoirs are full of rich, vibrant details and "characters." The short stories in the middle are beautifully created and often harken back to his larger works. Three nonfiction pieces (two on the subject of Dickens and one of Gunter Grass) end the book.
One of the things I love the most about this collection is that every piece has an author's note at the end. These notes are less informative of the work preceding and more an insight from Irving about the writing process itself and the details that were going on in his life surrounding that piece. Having these notes after each work creates a dialogue between Irving and himself that is so thrilling for someone who is a big fan of his work already. The notes set this book apart and create a special piece of art for those who love Irving and writing in general.
This is something I think I will come back to once I have read more of Irving. Even with the few novels I have read, I picked up on a lot of insights from the memoir section (even without taking the notes into consideration). It is so cool to see how his writing is informed by his experiences and to get just a small glimpse of his wonderful mind. I highly recommend this book for any Irving fan.
That was probably my least favorite book of John Irving (sorry for my English it's obviously not my first language but I try as I can to express myself) having said that... I'm kind of disappointed. I was actually looking forward to reading this book, even the title of it kind of intrigued me but when I have already done it (obviously) I feel like I have wasted my time (okay...sorry I don't think reading a book is a waste of time ever!) but it's just...I guess I was expecting more. I mean... I have read way better books from John Irving.I guess I got spoiled at that point. But oh well...there are books you like and there are books you don't... I guess that's the case but of course it depends on your taste in the first place.
Short story is not my favorite genre...but I enjoyed listening to this book...the title piece explains Irving's love of story telling and reinventing the truth...his memoir, presidential politics, his friendship with Gunter Grass, and his admiration of Charles Dickens are all so entertaining...
The short stories took me to very different places and I loved every place...
And the author's notes gave us a glimpe into his process, his writing life. What a treat!
His self-deprecating humor had me giggling moe than once on my lonely walks. Glad no one saw me! :)
The short stories took me to very different places and I loved every place...
And the author's notes gave us a glimpe into his process, his writing life. What a treat!
His self-deprecating humor had me giggling moe than once on my lonely walks. Glad no one saw me! :)
Well, I learned that I don't like Irving's short pieces as much as I like his novels. I think his novels give the space required for all of his weird specific details to breathe and intertwine. I did like having the author's notes after each piece to see his perspective and process.
I admit that I didn't finish the last three essays in the book, which are in homage to writers he admires (and which I haven't read myself).
I admit that I didn't finish the last three essays in the book, which are in homage to writers he admires (and which I haven't read myself).
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
I like John Irving's writing but I didn't love the format of thi book- a mix of memoirs and fiction. I will read more of John Irving though!
Go for the alternative edition, which also contains memoirs from Irving's childhood.
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated