A Widow for One Year

Rating:
Summary: The scenarios seemed contrived, uninteresting characters.
Review: As this was my first Irving book, and I had heard such great things about his writing, I expected to sit back and be thoroughly entertained. No such luck. I was relatively bored by Ruth as a main character. Her raucus friend Hannah seemed more interesting. And- big deal about the older woman, 16 yr. old boy story. Shocking? Not really. If the story was about Eddie's life after this love affair, it would have been much more colorful. Not much room in this book for titilation either, lest a murder get in the way. Yawn. Drawbacks: boring, and slightly interesting from chapter to chapter Positives: At least there was some resolution of conflicts- or hint at it. Loved the ending. Clever final dialogue.

Rating:
Summary: Superlative fiction
Review: This is the best book I've read since The Triumph and the Glory and that was way back in March. The quality of the writing is just superb. The characters so unrelentingly vivid they become as familiar as family. A very good book, I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite John Irving-I liked it better than Owen Meany!
Review: Very thorough character development, a story that keeps you interested, the somewhat crazy storylines you associate with John Irving. I thoroughtly enjoyed it.

Rating:
Summary: A truly wonderful and moving work
Review: This is a truly wonderful and moving work of art. I didn't want it to end and kept reading small passages to delay and lengthen the enjoyment. You care deeply about what happens to the characters and you believe in them 100% ! There is quite a lot of steamy sex and dirty talk which I found well done....."Can you hear that sound ?". But the real worth of the novel is its compassion. Fabulous !

Rating:
Summary: Long winded and disappointing
Review: I have been an avid Irving fan since I was in Jr High. I anticipate all his new arrivals with tingles. I am sure that I will laugh and cry. This time I did. Part 1 was great. I was curious about Part 2. It was all I could to finish it. Why? It totally faltered and was dull and predictable. I am afraid the creator of my all time favorite character has let me down. Next time I buy paperback and read the reviews.

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Summary: Irving's best, so far
Review: John Irving is maturing. "Widow for a Year" is a product of that. Yes, the "carpe diem" of "Garp" is still there, but his work is getting more focused over time. Delightful! Irving's best--so far!

Rating:
Summary: 8 simple words threw me into a crying fit
Review: "Widow" kept me completely engrossed with the characters and when I read those simple 8 last words of the novel, "Don't cry honey. It's just Eddie and me" I couldn't stop the tears. I was amazed that such simple, little words could have such a strong effect on my emotions. I sit on the edge of my seat waiting for the next Irving novel.

Rating:
Summary: bla bla bla
Review: I am an avid reader of John Irving's Work...and Garp was not my first sojourn into his world... it was Cider House. I picked up Widow expecting another reallygreat story..and was really intrigued by Ruth as a child...as one other reviewer pointed out... but the rest of the book is sadly lacking in any kind of substance whatsoever. I read the book waiting for Marion to come to her senses.. and had to wait until the very end to find out and was only given about 3 sentences... And yes.. I did notice an inordiante amount if italicizing... and how about the titles of Ruth's last book. My Last Bad Boyfriend... I don't know.. the whole thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Hannah makes me ill...Eddie is just plain pathetic...only Harry resmbles anything close to an Irving character. This book lacks the warmth and humor that carrys Iriving's signature tragedy to a place of learning and growth.

Rating:
Summary: A pleasurable surprise in every chapter
Review: Astounding novel; the plot twists and turns and involves you at every point. Incredibly absorbing read.

Rating:
Summary: class, as usual
Review: I've read it in three days. Brillant characters, a story plenty of humor and (non)sense. Amsterdam is very well described. Go on John!