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bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
4.0
Although the story dragged for a bit at the 300-400 page mark, Irving is an unfailing writing. The storytelling is hardly chronological, which can make it difficult to follow at times. Still, Irving has a special ability to write epic novels with big heart. As Robertson Davies points out, he has a sort of nervous violent language that sticks with you. Although this novel does not compare to the captivating prose of Cider House Rules, Last Night in Twisted River still has the Irving touch.
It was especially interesting how Irving was able to intertwine his storytelling with that of his main character, also a writer who seems to resemble Irving. It seems to be a rather autobiographical book.
"We don't always have a choice how we get to know one another. Sometimes, people fall into our lives cleanly--as if out of the sky, or as if there were a direct flight from Heaven to Earth--the same sudden way we lose people, who once seemed they would always be part of our lives."
It was especially interesting how Irving was able to intertwine his storytelling with that of his main character, also a writer who seems to resemble Irving. It seems to be a rather autobiographical book.
"We don't always have a choice how we get to know one another. Sometimes, people fall into our lives cleanly--as if out of the sky, or as if there were a direct flight from Heaven to Earth--the same sudden way we lose people, who once seemed they would always be part of our lives."
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
1.0
Absolute garbage. I can sum it up no better. Just terrible. I'm way disappointed in Irving.
debsd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
peterkeep's review against another edition
4.0
I always have the same kind of feelings near the end of a John Irving book. I really love his books, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed this one as well, and had the same kind of emotions and feelings that he always hits me with. Last Night on Twisted River is borderline cliche for Irving. It's got all of his little trademarks: bears, wrestling, an author character, abnormal sexual dynamics, and a New England setting (among others). If you've read any Irving novel, you've seen this stuff show up.
The book is also a little heavy handed in it's politics: it doesn't start very political, but when it gets there, it's not subtle. I have no problems with it at all, and I'm used to Irving weaving some of that stuff in and out of his stories, but it's worth noting. It's also pretty self-referential. It's pretty obvious that the author character that Irving has written, Danny, is a stand-in for himself in some aspects. Irving spells out his ideas on stories, writing, structure, etc. through Danny. Even some of the events that happen in the story are direct retellings of Irving's own experiences. As I came across these parallels, I was forced to ask "how much of this is fiction and how much of this is autobiographical?" and then, continuing this kind of meta, self-reference, Danny comes across the same issues, and is asked the same questions.
This theme keeps running its course (and not subtly) when we find out that Danny is
Most of this isn't extremely crucial to the actual plot of the book, but I can see how it can be distracting to some readers. For me, though, I took to it pretty well. I liked seeing Irving be a bit personal (even if it comes off as a bit self-important to some people). The actual plot of the book is pretty great - it might be his most exciting, actiony setup. Unfortunately, the book is really long and meanders more than Irving normally does. The excitement and action is definitely there, but it's drawn out over a LONG period of time. The book is slow and non-linear in many parts, picking up the action momentarily only to put it down in order to follow some other plot line. Again, this is very John Irving-esque, but it feels turned up a bit. It's easy to see how some people might think the book is too long, and could have cut 100 or so pages to keep it moving. I didn't mind the length or the repetition (and there is repetition, and a lot of it).
Overall, I really liked the book, but I definitely don't recommend it as an intro to Irving, or to people who have maybe enjoyed a book or two of his but didn't love them. For me, it was a really nice jump back into his kind of story.
The book is also a little heavy handed in it's politics: it doesn't start very political, but when it gets there, it's not subtle. I have no problems with it at all, and I'm used to Irving weaving some of that stuff in and out of his stories, but it's worth noting. It's also pretty self-referential. It's pretty obvious that the author character that Irving has written, Danny, is a stand-in for himself in some aspects. Irving spells out his ideas on stories, writing, structure, etc. through Danny. Even some of the events that happen in the story are direct retellings of Irving's own experiences. As I came across these parallels, I was forced to ask "how much of this is fiction and how much of this is autobiographical?" and then, continuing this kind of meta, self-reference, Danny comes across the same issues, and is asked the same questions.
This theme keeps running its course (and not subtly) when we find out that Danny is
Spoiler
writing Last Night in Twisted River near the end of the book. He's working through the opening chapter that I read about 500 pages earlier.Most of this isn't extremely crucial to the actual plot of the book, but I can see how it can be distracting to some readers. For me, though, I took to it pretty well. I liked seeing Irving be a bit personal (even if it comes off as a bit self-important to some people). The actual plot of the book is pretty great - it might be his most exciting, actiony setup. Unfortunately, the book is really long and meanders more than Irving normally does. The excitement and action is definitely there, but it's drawn out over a LONG period of time. The book is slow and non-linear in many parts, picking up the action momentarily only to put it down in order to follow some other plot line. Again, this is very John Irving-esque, but it feels turned up a bit. It's easy to see how some people might think the book is too long, and could have cut 100 or so pages to keep it moving. I didn't mind the length or the repetition (and there is repetition, and a lot of it).
Overall, I really liked the book, but I definitely don't recommend it as an intro to Irving, or to people who have maybe enjoyed a book or two of his but didn't love them. For me, it was a really nice jump back into his kind of story.
melanie1022's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dalefu's review against another edition
4.0
This book bounced back and forth between 3 and 4 stars for me.
I'd known for some time that Irving's novels share a lot of patterns, but this only being my third, I'm only starting to see them now. Some of them are welcome little touches, like wrestling, bears, etc. But some of the more plot based patterns I found removed me from the story. My first Irving novel was The World According to Garp, which I loved. Reading Last Night in Twisted River, there were several instances where what would have been a moving plot point, instead felt like treading old ground. Sometimes it was all too easy to replace the characters of this book with characters from Garp. In the end there was enough unique moments and characters to merit that fourth star, but if Irving sticks too closely to his trademarks in all his novels, I fear my next Irving novel won't fare so well.
I'd known for some time that Irving's novels share a lot of patterns, but this only being my third, I'm only starting to see them now. Some of them are welcome little touches, like wrestling, bears, etc. But some of the more plot based patterns I found removed me from the story. My first Irving novel was The World According to Garp, which I loved. Reading Last Night in Twisted River, there were several instances where what would have been a moving plot point, instead felt like treading old ground. Sometimes it was all too easy to replace the characters of this book with characters from Garp. In the end there was enough unique moments and characters to merit that fourth star, but if Irving sticks too closely to his trademarks in all his novels, I fear my next Irving novel won't fare so well.
aesw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
eletricjb's review against another edition
4.0
I mean, John Irving is always good, but this book was just SO META. I think my brain exploded seven times.
mschrock8's review against another edition
4.0
My second attempt at this book, and it was very good.
I appreciated the nod to Kurt Vonnegut.
My hope was a longer book would slow me down, and maybe it did.
I appreciated the nod to Kurt Vonnegut.
My hope was a longer book would slow me down, and maybe it did.