Rating: 
Summary: Major dissapontment from an author of "Garp"
Review: After being smitten by " World according to Garp" this reader keeps looking for the same talent, brilliance and exuberance in Irving's books without finding any. "The Fourth Hand" is a major dissapointment as it reads as if the author is exhausted from writing novels, from writing as a medium for creative expression. Ennui, impatience, boredom predominate. None of the characters had any effect on this reader, seems like none of them effected the author too. The idea of the novel was probably bizarre enough for John Irving, but his heart and mind were not thrilled by it - hence the detached uninspired cliche filled piece of tired writing.Interesting to notice, that Irving fame would have probably reached Salinger's level, if he would choose to stop writing after "Garp".
Rating: 
Summary: Lessons Learned from the Human Comedy
Review: Mr. Irving has always been a master at presenting life in the most outlandish and poignant scenarios. But with this book, Mr. Irving, more than in any of his other writings, not only describes the human comedy of life but also gives insight into how the reader can learn from it. He has interjected at least three life situations into his story line so subtly that the novice might miss them and just enjoy the book for one heck of a "hoot." Patrick Wallingford hates his life, socially and professionally. Mr. Irving shows his gradual transformation from a "one nighter" guy into someone who accepts responsibility. The second human life drama deals with the death of Doris Clausen's husband and her painful process of letting go. That process takes an "Irving" twist of not letting go of part of the body, the hand. The current French movie (one of the best to come along in years), Under the Sand, deals with this human tragedy of letting go and is a good contrast to Mr. Irving's book. A third scenario is dished out in poignant antidotes to illustrate moral wrong. Mr. Irving "slam dunks" the press and their "lynch mob" by illustrating the news media's intrusion into people's lives during times of crisis and the "crash and burn" media followers (those "body-spotters") getting stirred into a frenzy over dismembered dolls floating in the water after an airline crash. This book is definitely worth a slow read and reflection every step of the way.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Poor Outing
Review: As the author of Strike Hard, I was completely disappointed by John Irving's outing on this one. While his stories always seem to have a wave of what I term "Wacky Humor" to them, The Fourth Hand didn't even seem worth the effort. The premise of it being a "story of love" was completely lost on me, and seemed to center more on a morbidness. Hopefully his next one will be a lot better.
Rating: 
Summary: Was the fourth hand really necessary?
Review: A FARCICAL ACCOUNT OF A good looking, womanizing journalist. John Irving's tenth novel tells of Patrick Wallingford, a newscaster for an all-news TV network. This affords the author opportunities to take satirical swipes at the woozy world of world watchers. In all though, it is a silly book. It is hardly as funny as the author seems to think. I hope his next book is more meaningful. This novel is also about how some men who have yet to experience real love incline toward misogyny. Patrick describes an Englishwoman in Japan as screeching like an unattended teakettle. His attitude to the female population will improve in the course of the book. On assignment in India, he carelessly exposes his left hand too close to a cage of gourmet lions, and one of them lops it off, chews it and swallows without as much as a thank you. Adding insult, television audiences around the world see the accident broadcast live, and then again on every newscast everywhere in glorious bloody replays. A handsome offer comes from Green Bay, Wisconsin, home of the Green Bay Packers. There, a woman named Doris offers her truck-driver husband's left hand for a surgeon to graft onto Patrick's arm. However, her spouse, Otto, has his hands-full and is not yet dead. Otto moves the plot along by shortly committing suicide. Doris now has a spare hand, on hand. Life though, is surely complicated, and Doris demands a baby by handsome Patrick in return for the deceased's hand. Patrick is (always) in trouble with his women friends, and following the grafting of the hand by a strange Boston surgeon, Doris adds to his grief. She demands visiting rights with her husband's (and now Patrick's) left hand. John Irving ends this weird handiwork on a happy note. Patrick overcomes his misogynist attitudes handily and finds happiness. Put away your hand-kerchief. With entwining fingers, true love saves the day.
Rating:
Summary: don't bother
Review: I bought this book before any reviews were in, having faith in John Irving and was axiously awaiting his next book ("A Prayer For Owen Meany" being on my ALL TIME FAVORITE list)Along the way I had a hard time feeling anything for it and kept seeing unfavorable reviews. But I kept thinking and hoping that soon it would grab me. Not so! What an incredible waste of time! The main character was a real sleaseball that I could never feel any sympathy for and the ending was like a sappy romance novel. A very untypical John Irving novel - disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: superb, I will name my first born after the author
Review: THere comes a point in every life which undoubtedly comes to an epiphany, this masterpiece was mine. I salute you, John Irving, this treatise is the greatest story ever written. May you go in peace and always tread with a pen in your hand.
Rating:
Summary: I was expecting magical.
Review: Being a huge fan of anyone who has the talent and the courage to write and publish what they write I feel horrible giving a poor review. In the past I have read John Irving's work with delight and pleasure. What happened? This story had potential but failed repeatedly. I never cared for any of the characters, didn't find any of them entertaining or the least bit interesting, not to mention that I never understood them. I believe that is because there was nothing to understand. Nothing under the surface. Please, don't bother but rather read Owen Meany again and enter the magical place John Irving took us to before..
Rating:
Summary: Not as bad as the reviews would suggest
Review: As a big fan of John Irving's work, I was thrilled to learn that his latest novel was on the shelves. I was also disappointed to read such negative reviews (not just here on Amazon, but in the New York Times as well). When all is said and done, The Fourth Hand does not possess the depth, complexity and emotional impact of Irving's prior work; yet, it's certainly worth a read and is far better than most contemporary fiction. While the supporting cast is very weak, the main plot involving Patrick Wallingford and Doris Clausen is sweet and memorable, involving some tender scenes in northern Wisconsin, and a few amusing detours along the way. Furthermore, The Fourth Hand possesses something rare in Irving's prior novels -- genuine, if understated, romance. While Patrick and Doris encounter the usual Irving-esque litany of absurdly comic twists and turns, the bond between the two seems more salient, more authentic, than in Irving's most-recent work. The Fourth Hand will not go down as Irving's finest work, but neither does it deserve the scorn it has so far received. It is what it is; a simple, short story about love and remembrance.
Rating:
Summary: I just discovered the meaning of the word
Review: I have read every John Irving novel, starting with Garp when I was still in High School. I went back and read his earier works, and I have loved everything he has written (except Son of the Circus, which left me saying, why why why for a month afterward). Honestly, some of his books, notably The Cider House Rules, have in some ways changed the way I view my life. I was so thrilled to get his new novel this July; but when I finished it I realized that it is ... I was so disappointed; although I will read his next novel, I will certainly be more cautious in my optimism.
Rating:
Summary: Hit a deadline?
Review: All I can say is at least every character wasn't an author. Beyond that who cares about Wallingford? Even if the point is that he is not to be cared about then don't make him your main character. I think the biggest problem with the book that made it not work for me was that I didn't really get the love affair between Otto (the 1st) and Mrs. Clausen, it didn't seem as great as it was later described as. Also, it seems Mr. Irving got a little more interested in writing about the sex then the characters. Anyway right after I finished it I picked up "Setting Free the Bears" and read a couple of chapters just to remind myself why I like this author so much. Maybe next time.
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