Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing, Predictable, Dull
Review: I have been a fan of Irving's work since I read "A Prayer for Owen Meany" a decade ago. I have eagerly awaited the publication of his new novels, hoping they will move me as Owen Meany did. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for the last three."A Widow for One Year" sounds and walks like Irving from the start, but fails to fulfill its promises. The novel is wordy and full of passages one hopes will mean something later on -- but they never do, leaving one to realize one has been reading "filler." Unlike Irving's earlier books, the characters remain entirely one-dimensional, never developing to the degree one expects them to. When they express hatred, one feels no anger. When they love, one is nowhere near moved or interested (or likely to take them seriously). Most remarkably, where sex, sexuality or sensuality appear in the text they evoke nothing more than boredom. Ruth, Hannah, Allan, Eddie and especially Minty O'Hare leave with us nothing remarkable to remember them by. They even fail to effectively communicate the one characteristic they all have in common - selfishness. Lastly, the closing paragraph of "A Widow for One Year" is the least interesting I have ever read. It made me wonder why I bothered to finish the novel (llness?). This is the last new Irving book I will rush to buy.
Rating: 
Summary: Noooo!
Review: While at times the story dragged, interest was maintained by my faith that there would be resolution. While Mr. Irving provided closure at several junctures, he leaves us with the mother of all cliff hangers, resulting in a slew of expletives. Still, a very good read.
Rating:
Summary: Didn't get far
Review: A friend who only read through page 7 gave me the book, which I'd heard well-reviewed on NPR. I made it to page 18 and gave up. Irving writes with a self-conscious smirk and I find his characters unappealing and trite. Who has time to read bad books these days?
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful character development.
Review: John Irving is one of my favorite American novelists. In "A Widow for One Year" he again delivers a book full of quirky, but very human and believable characters within a good story.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost as good as Owen Meany
Review: Had everything together for a great novel, however, once Ruth gets to Germany, Irving loses me. Being a romantic, I loved the ending, but wished for more of the same in the middle of the book.
Rating:
Summary: Delivered, but just
Review: The first words I heard about Widow went something like "the best Irving has written yet." Perhaps then the bar was simply set so high that the novel couldn't live up to the hype. I remember very particular details of Owen Meany, Garp or Cider House even after six, ten or twenty years. There are few details I can recall of Widow without straining myself, and I just completed it two months ago. The beauty of the book, as in all Irving's work, is primarily in the writing. His plots are so tight, so crafted, while still including the most bizarre of twists. His capacity to bring characters together from the most distant reaches of the plot never ceases to amaze me, and Irving is always able to "wrap things up" to a point of leaving one satisfied. He does this masterfully in Widow, and that, more than the story itself, is what warrants it my three stars.
Rating:
Summary: A widow for one year - a waste of one month
Review: When people ask me whose books I enjoy reading, the name John Irving is always first off my lips. Ever since a friend in college recommended "Garp," I have been hooked by his engaging style and fascinating stories. Until now. This book bored me to tears. I did not care in the least for Ruth Cole, the main focus of the book, or any of the other drab people we meet along this sad journey. If this is the only John Irving book you have read and you didn't like it - don't do yourself a disservice - please buy and savor his previous fine novels. I will be first in line for his next tome, but as for this one, it is a sad disappointment. Sorry, John.
Rating: 
Summary: WONDERFUL IRVING!
Review: This book is what Irving fans crave for in anticipation of another novel by the master! People that don't enjoy Irving just don't get it. He's marvelous.
Rating: 
Summary: The first and last Irving book I will read.
Review: Unfortunately, I have no desire to read another John Irving novel. If this is a good example of his other novels, you won't catch me reading any more of his work. It was a chore just to finish the darn book.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT NARRATOR MAKES THIS A GOOD CHOICE FOR BOOKS ON TAPE
Review: John Irving is twisted, perverted, and America's Best Living Novelist. This book is of particular interest to NOVELISTS -- All the main characters in this book are novelists, so Irving is a bit self-indulgent in describing the characters' process of writing novels. There are so many reviews of the hardcover, i'll just say that i've listened to numerous books on tape and this Guidall feller is by far the best narrator i've heard. I definitely felt engaged it the story, which is what it's all about for me. But I wouldn't put it on my "favorite books" list for which I would reserve the five star rating.
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