A Widow for One Year

Rating:
Summary: No heart, but plenty of old territory
Review: How can the same author who wrote masterpieces such as A Prayer for Owen Meany, Ciderhouse Rules and The World According to Garp write A Widow for One Year? (And Son of a Circus, for that matter) He's one of the most gifted writers of this century, but I'm worried. In "Widow" he reuses old themes -- characters on the lookout for a long-gone parent (Owen Meany), long passages in Austria (Garp), an investigation of the world of whores (Jenny's investigation of lust in "Garp"), a child's misunderstanding of a word(the "undertoad" in "Garp," and one and one. I kept waiting for a bear ("Garp," the Hotel New Hampshire"). Eddie's story overshadowed the title character for the first half of the book. The interminable discussion of the pictures (and on the dust jacket) never re-entered the story.

I was heart-sick because I crave John Irving's work, and "Widow" was a serious failure. Irving takes a long time to write each novel -- he spends a lot of time rewriting (at a reading in Lansing, Michigan, he said, "I'm not a good writer, but I'm a great rewriter."). And in the past, his loving care and masterful handling of plot elevated his work to heights no other current author approached. But this book was full of flaws, including a passage in which he switched from Third Person omnicient voice to the First Person -- a breach of story-telling art. And, worst of all, I didn't empathize for any of the characters. I didn't have an emotional connection with any of them.

John Irving, come back. I miss you. No, I need you. Don't let me down, again, as you did in "A Widow for One Year."

Rating:
Summary: excellent, but perhaps somewhat rushed toward the end
Review: John Irving's "A Widow for One Year" is right up there with other Irving classics, being at once witty, philosophical, comical, but nonetheless remotely realistic. Writing in a way that serves to bring the "dysfunctional family" a little closer to home, it is easy to recognize one's own idiosyncrocies and strange family dynamics in every chapter, may it be in Eddie's inherent loveable wierdness, or Hannah's eccenttricies in love, or Ted Cole's ignorant philandering. Also, Irving has re-created the older woman (Marion), as someone desirable, even in her advanced age, therefore allowing readers to re-examine how they percieve age and issues of what is considered sexy. Eddie is rather unique in that he remains enamoured of Marion, as a person, when in today's society, so much attention is given still to outward appearances. He is the epitome of true love, of a love not limited by time or age. Despite my obvoius love for the characters, I was just slightly confused by the last one hundred pages. It seemed that in the first section, there was quite an attention to detail, where in the subsequent parts, Irving appeared rushed, as if the story had gotten away from him somehow, and he needed to finish rather quickly. These criticisms notwithstanding, "A Widow for One Year" is by far one of the best summer reads yet, if not one for all seasons.

Rating:
Summary: Reading Irving is to remind oneself what an author really is
Review: There's no need to repeat all the raves and it is useless to try and counter the slams. But, let's face it -- Irving is a real author who makes you appreciate both the craft and the art of storytelling. At the same time you are in awe of Irving for his incredible mind, you are finding yourself swept up in the lives of the some of the most memorable characters since Owen Meany. I don't find them or their situations unbelievable at all -- maybe we just notice the bizarre in life when it happens to others.

Rating:
Summary: great summer read
Review: I can't believe there are any negative reviews of this book at all! Maybe those readers missed Irving's many subtle references and double meanings, some of which were very humorous, others simply clever. Each character's story was perfectly woven into the matrix which became this novel. My favorite since Garp.

Rating:
Summary: John Irving is on familiar ground- right where we want him.
Review: John Irving has always been fascinated with the dynamics of unconventional families and the behavior of their often quirky members. Throw in some erotic undercurrents, remarkably detailed vignettes about each character, and a healthy dose of dysfunction and you have all the ingredients of a John Irving stew. This one is emminently readable, with only occasional lapses into superfluous exposition, and the characters and their bittersweet tales are equally compelling. A Widow For One Year is neither fast-moving nor economical, but the prose has a calm, almost luxurious feel that remains steady until the final, atypically satifying resolution.

Rating:
Summary: A delicious return to the art of storytelling
Review: Great, vividly realized characters give "A Widow For One Year" its momentum. As usual for John Irving, you can find contrivance and coincidence everywhere. But because he has so clearly drawn the writer Ruth, her unfortunate parents Ted and Marion, and the casts that surround their lives, these coincidences give the story a ring of truth. (Don't we find surprises like these in our own lives?) Yet there is symmetry to the events here, a satisfying crafting of plot, that remembers the reader's desires for order in novels. As for those who criticize the book for falling short on delivery of his "first female main character": Think Bigger! Yep, a woman with noticeable breasts will get looked at throughout life. More importantly, Ruth is meant to be a person first. Irving understands basic humanity pretty well.

Rating:
Summary: Comfortably Irving-esque, but lacks his usual spirit
Review: I am happy to report that Irving is back from his hiatus seen in Son of the Circus. His Dickens-like style flows evenly throughout Widow, and he develops some good characters in Ruth and Eddie. But, I found this book simply enjoyable when I was hoping to find it moving -- as I did with Owen Meany and Cider House Rules. Widow's cental character is a woman, which is new for Irving, and he does a convincing job with her, but I found him attributing most of his energy to achieve humor with the male characters. I don't think he's comfortable yet in giving women the laugh. If you are not yet an Irving fan, you would do better to start with A Prayer for Owen Meany, or Cider House Rules. If you are an Irving fan, wait for the paperback to discover the enjoyable, yet mild Irving charm in Widow.

Rating:
Summary: Where did the cop come from?
Review: I too am a huge Irving fan, and though I am not disappointed with Widow for One Year, it has left me confused. I did enjoy the glimpses of previous stories and familiar places, but Ruth's character seemed more "surfacey" than previous main charcters. I did not care about her, nor was I led to some understanding of her motives. I felt as though Irving stayed in the shallow end of the pool with Ruth.

I could not help but feel that this story began in Irving's mind with Eddie. This character's motivation and events were the best part of the book for me. My favorite being when Eddie is contemplating asking Hannah to share the house with him. Eddie's character felt like familiar territory, classic Irving.

I believe I will give Widow a second read this summer. As a woman, I probably expected more from Irving's Ruth. I may have missed something, but, figuratively, where did the cop come from anyway?

Rating:
Summary: A great read. Characters and situations you'll remember
Review: The book kept me engrossed throughout. The characters are developed in the 600 pages and the situations are humorous throughout. Irving can really write and gets better with age. I love this book!

Rating:
Summary: A wonderfully engaging book from a master storyteller
Review: A Widow for One Year doesn't quite make my list of all-time favorite books, but it is still wonderful. Irving is an incredible storyteller -- in a class by himself -- who gives us a story and characters that are not easily forgotten. It won't be easy to pick up another book immediately after finishing this one (I couldn't read another book for 3-4 months after I finished Owen Meany!). A must-read for Irving fans or for anyone who enjoys a great story.