Rating: 
Summary: Could Be Worse
Review: The least fun reviews to write are for books like "A Widow for One Year" that are just OK. It's great to be able to praise a superb book and it's also fun to vent a little frustration about a bad book, but it's hard to find the right words to describe a book that is only so-so. I'll try anyway.So far I've read two other Irving novels (I'll get around to reading more of them soon) "The Cider House Rules" was a good book (also a good movie) which maybe I didn't give enough credit. "The Fourth Hand" was a terrible book in every way. "A Widow for One Year" falls in between. The story is good, but suffers from average writing, nonsympathetic characters, heavy-handed foreshadowing, and some forced plot elements. Eddie was the only character I really cared about (maybe pitied is a better way to put it) none of the others seemed like really good people I could root for. The first part of the book set in 1958 has foreshadowing all over the place, enough so you almost don't need to read the rest of the book. That's something I harp on all the time because as I reader I WANT to be surprised. The forced plot elements are in the relationships between certain characters. Why does Eddie love Ruth's mom so much that he pines for her for 40 years? They slept together 60 times, but other than that there didn't seem to be much depth to the summer they shared in the Hamptons. Then why does Eddie switch allegiance to Ruth for one year after her first husband dies? There seemed no reason at all for Eddie to love Ruth, which is probably why that is quickly dropped after Ruth marries her second husband. Then of course is the rushed romance between Ruth and second husband Harry. Their only reason for hooking up seemed to be because he liked to read, she liked to write, and they both knew a prostitute in Amsterdam (Harry in fact solves the murder of said prostitute, which Ruth witnessed and gave him an anyonymous tip). Maybe it's just me, but I didn't feel that was enough for them to run off and get married (and as far as we know to have a successful marriage). If you've ever thought about writing a book, I'd suggest reading this. It was a good mental excercise for me to think about which writer I most resemble: Ruth, Ruth's mom, Ruth's dad, or Eddie. Though if you think you write like either of Ruth's parents then you're probably in trouble. The reason I give this three stars is that despite the shortcomings, the story was interesting. So I'd say to put this on your list of books to read, just not at the top.
Rating: 
Summary: An Irving classic
Review: "A Widow for One Year" is a great example of Irving's abilities as a storyteller and crafter of characters. I found myself totally engrossed in the story of the Coles, a family marred by tragedy and dysfunction. As with most of Irving's novels, the characters are what draw you in. They are realistically drawn and very thoroughly fleshed-out, making it impossible not to care what happens to them. The excellent characterization also serves to make the large cast of the novel manageable. The plot of the novel is equally wonderful. It's full of twists and turns, chance encounters, and coincidences. While these surprises are a lot fun, they do sometimes strain credibility. A willing suspension of disbelief is a must. In addition to great characters and a fascinating story, this book is also worth reading for its discussion of writing. The majority of the characters are writers, and this provides Irving with an opportunity to voice his philosophy of writing. It's interesting to get a glimpse of Irving's thoughts about his craft and the process of writing. While this book may not be the highest of high literature, it is nonetheless a well-written and engaging novel. It's also quite a fast read, so don't be put off by the length. This book is worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing, But Foreshadow Gives Away Too Much
Review: While the size of this novel may be intimidating to some, at 537 pages, "A Widow for One Year" is a fast, engrossing read. The story focuses on three crucial periods of time in the life of Ruth, a famous novelist: at age four, when her parents' marriage falls apart, later in her life when she marries for the first time, and then again when she has been "a widow for one year" and she falls in love for the first time. And there is a twist to that part which I won't give away. The ending tugs at the heartstrings. There are many memorable characters in Ruth's life and, surprisingly, one of them is her mother's former lover. You can't use the term "May to December" for the relationship between Ruth's mother and Eddie (she's 39 and he's 16 when they begin their affair); it's too cliche for the romance that evolves. Ruth's father, a philandering writer, is a pitiful character, with flaws that you may not agree with, but come to accept as they make him a very "human" character. Irving's characters are flawed, and that's what I find to be most human about them. There was only one problem that I had with this novel, and that is John Irving tends to do too much heavy-handed foreshadowing, such as "little did she realize how important that letter would be to her several months from that moment." After all, a little surprise is sometimes quite nice. Overall, I would recommend this novel to everyone. It's especially good for long winter nights when you want to put a pot of soup on the stove and curl up in a big armchair with a good read.
Rating: 
Summary: Never Leave an Irving Story
Review: I love John Irving's prose and his richly defined characters. Each novel is a treat! The characters and plot are so intricately woven that one should never leave an Irving story. Every new book somehow links to the ones that preceeded it in subtle ways. Another great read from a master story teller (this one is not 5 stars because "Garp"and "Owen Meany" are among my all time favorites).
Rating:
Summary: I just finished the book and I miss the characters already!
Review: I've liked John Irving since I was a teenager, but this book was truly an enjoyable adult experience. It is fascinating to watch his characters bump into each other and change the courses of their lives. Reading him also makes one feel as if there is no other profession (or calling, career or job) besides writing. I wish...
Rating: 
Summary: 1 star is still too much
Review: I could say many things about this monument to Dullness. But I would waste even more time than I already did trying to get to any interesting passage. I surrendered in the middle of the book.
Don't be as stupid as me. Run away from this piece of nothing.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book!
Review: I have always found John Irving to be challenging and interesting. Quite often one doesn't know where he is leading the reader, but it's always worth it to follow! This is a great example of that quality. He creates fascinating characters, not always totally admirable, but wonderfully human, striving to do the best they can with the hand they are dealt. I recommend this one highly -- once you get started, it will be hard to put it down, and you'll be sorry when it's finished!
Rating:
Summary: Irving at his worst
Review: After reading Hotel New Hampshire and A Prayer for Owen Meany (one of the best books I have EVER read), Widow for One Year was completely dissapointing. The characters are dull and not well developed, and worst of all the plot resembles a Lifetime movie. If you like Danielle Steele or romance novels, I recommend this book highly.
Rating:
Summary: Not my cup of tea
Review: Maybe it's me, I just didn't care about any of it. I read the whole thing and it just never grabbed me.
Rating: 
Summary: Ugh! ' Sorrow floats.'
Review: *A Widow for One Year* was recommended to me by a well-read friend whose opinion I respect. If she said it was a "great book", thought I'd be in for a good read. After all, Irving was responsible for such great books as *The World According to Garp*, *A Prayer for Owen Meany* and *Cider House Rules*, any one of which I'd gladly proclaim as The Great American Novel. Out of respect for my friend's opinion I forsakened my 'Law of 39 Pages'(If it doesn't interest me by the 39th page, I give the book away.) I struggled and slogged to about page 110 with WFOY. What's wrong with me that I didn't care enough for this book's unlikable and empty characters to read the remaining 200-odd pages? How can Irving, a man who wrote stories about decent people trying to do their best ('A Prayer for Owen Meany' and 'Cider House Rules') write claptrap like this ? In WFOY, Irving plows again his tired old field of infidelity, showing us more of its ugly faces. Although there was a roadster in the story, thank Heavens it wasn't an obscure Austrian one. I guess he got THAT out of his system. My heart soars with the hope that bears and wrestling soon follow. Maybe the book got better after page 110. But I read *The Water Method Man*, *The 158 Pound Marriage*, and *Setting Free the Bears*. They did not. Starting one of John Irving's books is like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates, "You never know what you're gonna get".
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