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A review by mikewomack
A Widow for One Year by John Irving
4.0
I am convinced that John Irving will be one of the writers still widely read in one hundred years. While A Prayer for Owen Meany is his finest work, followed closely Cider House and Garp, A Widow for One Year is another very satisfying novel with multiple layers of complex concepts delivered in beautiful prose. Reading Irving can be effortless if one is simply interested in a well written story but his writing also leaves the opportunity for lasting and complex consideration of challenging themes.
The book description claims it's a story Ruth Cole and the people around her but I would argue with that statement. I think this is Eddie's book and everyone else is in his universe. With that said, part One of the novel (the first 200 pages) is undoubtedly my favorite. His story, set in the late 50s, feels a lot like Irving's writing in Owen Meany and Cider House. I loved it and had this tone remained throughout, A Widow would surpass Garp for on my list of Irving favorites. The portion in Amsterdam, especially regarding the Red Light District, grew tiresome. After reading through it, I understand that the build up and is probably necessary, but the language and sex (intentional though it is) felt a little gratuitous.
A good read and happy be able to visit Irving's world again.
Favorite quotes:
"What great thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life - to strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?" - yes, it's from George Elliot but it's in THIS novel, too!
"Harry didn't believe that the world (or human nature) could be changed. Harry's job was to understand and accept the existing world; maybe he made the world a little safer, he'd like to think."
"Eddie wrote familiar, autobiographical novels - all of them variations on an overworked theme..." - The irony of this quote is too perfect, Mr. Irving. Is this in response to critique that your stories follow the same variation of a theme found here: https://sexdrugsandliterature.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/images.jpg
The book description claims it's a story Ruth Cole and the people around her but I would argue with that statement. I think this is Eddie's book and everyone else is in his universe. With that said, part One of the novel (the first 200 pages) is undoubtedly my favorite. His story, set in the late 50s, feels a lot like Irving's writing in Owen Meany and Cider House. I loved it and had this tone remained throughout, A Widow would surpass Garp for on my list of Irving favorites. The portion in Amsterdam, especially regarding the Red Light District, grew tiresome. After reading through it, I understand that the build up and is probably necessary, but the language and sex (intentional though it is) felt a little gratuitous.
A good read and happy be able to visit Irving's world again.
Favorite quotes:
"What great thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life - to strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?" - yes, it's from George Elliot but it's in THIS novel, too!
"Harry didn't believe that the world (or human nature) could be changed. Harry's job was to understand and accept the existing world; maybe he made the world a little safer, he'd like to think."
"Eddie wrote familiar, autobiographical novels - all of them variations on an overworked theme..." - The irony of this quote is too perfect, Mr. Irving. Is this in response to critique that your stories follow the same variation of a theme found here: https://sexdrugsandliterature.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/images.jpg