Rating: 
Summary: Moving, complex and beautiful
Review: Recently I read John Irving's A Widow For One Year as a way of preparing myself to read The Fourth Hand, which I was asked to review for a daily newspaper. Much as I enjoyed The Fourth Hand, I felt that Irving's earlier work was even better. It is especially good in the early part of the book, in evoking in detail the life and manners of wealthy people living on Long Island and the story of one young man, Eddie O'Hare, a naive but decent fellow, who is drawn into a relationship with an older woman that leaves a lifelong impression. In the second part of the book the protagonist becomes Ruth Cole, the daughter of the older woman, who was only 4 at the time of the earlier events. Ruth becomes a successful novelist and the story follows her to the red light district of Amsterdam (where she does research). In the closing section, the lives of Eddie O'Hare, Ruth and her mother converge again in a beautiful and ironic way. While there is plenty of Irving's trademark bawdy humor here, I found the book mostly touching in the final analysis. Maybe I'm more inclined to empathize with the suffering of Irving's characters than to merely laugh at their foibles. But there's a great gag in the book about squid ink ice cubes for those who like their laughs. ("Gag" in more than one sense of the word.)
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad...not the best
Review: After never having read John Irving before, I was curious enough to read, "A Prayer for Owen Meany" which I absolutely loved. I soon followed that up with "The World According to Garp" which I also enjoyed tremendously. Having read those two novels first, I obviously had high expectations for this book. And while it is a good book, I was still a little dissapointed in it. The classic "Irving earmarks" are there such as writers, prostitutes, sexual curiousity. But I almost gave up on this book. I kept waiting for it to...start. And just as Ruth had the "bad boyfriend" experience, I really started to get into it. And once I was really into it, it ended. I still consider it to be a good read, but you have to work your way through the somewhat tedious beginning to get to the gold towards the end.
Rating:
Summary: Widow Haiku
Review: In honor of the Greatness of A Widow for One Year and my favorite author John Irving I have constructed a haiku to express my feelings about this book:Young Eddie O'Hare...let Marion defile him...lusts for old beauty John Irving is the best! I hope he lives to be 110 and writes at least 40 more novels!
Rating:
Summary: Captivating, Contagious and Beautifully Crafted
Review: The characters in this book seem to pop into life...they breathe, they move and they just won't let you shake them--even after the last page is turned. Irving has beautifully portrayed the complex Ruth--has brought a real insight into womanhood to the character. Ruth is someone I'd like to meet over drinks. And Eddie--in all his bumbling, quirky humanity--is almost loveable in all his absurdity. This book is a trip, a mirror and portrait--and ranks high on my recommendation list to anyone who enjoys following the twisting turning lives of beautifully conceived, oft gritty, and always real characters.
Rating:
Summary: almost as good as cider house
Review: my favorite book of all-time is "the cider house rules". "widow" has the seriousness of "cider house" and the humor of "owen meany" and combines the two flawlessly. each character is mired in some portion of the past and it stunts their growth (not physically) in some way. the characters are barely likeable in many parts of the story. each one has a trait or mannerism that is considered repulsive. when i read a book, i look for positive characteristice in the people involved. mr. irving's presentation of the good and bad aspects of each character's personalities leaves the reader with a dilemma of who to favor when hoping for a happy ending. could ted cole have stopped his womanizing? could ruth cole have done more during her greatest test of human courage? could eddie please get some ba...i mean guts? can marion ever allow herself to love anyone again? if you are an irving fan, you will love this book. if you aren't an irving fan, you will become one after reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: My third Irving
Review: I liked this book. A lot actually. Irving is able to create a strong woman character with real faults, (as corny as this may sound, but fears and dreams too). The relationship between all these characters did feel either rushed or were dragged out and I felt a little cheated on a few characters' plots, but all in all I liked the characters and could have read on and on about them. I think that is why I was not happy with the way the book ended. I can't really say I'm happy with any of Irving's endings so far. But don't let this stop you from missing a great glimpse into the life of the Coles'.
Rating:
Summary: "New" Irving Fan
Review: Having just read two of John Irvings books,(Widow & Cider House Rules) I am new to the phenomenon of Mr. Irving. However, I must agree with his most ardent fans, he is a wonderful storyteller. A novel that will totally submege you into the world of its characters. Even the "weakest" character is so well developed that you love him more for his weaknesses. Also my edition had an interview with the author at the end of the book. It was so enlightening. Read it only after you finish... I have now decided that my next two Irving books will be Garp and Prayer for Owen Meaney. Both these novels have been tranformed to the "big screen". Having seen Cider House on the big screen, I felt cheated by all that was missing. I am looking forward to reading these two and rediscovering the world according to Irving.
Rating:
Summary: "New" Irving Fan
Review: Having just read two of John Irvings books,(Cider House Rules) I am new to the phenomenon of Mr. Irving. However, I must agree with his most ardent fans, he is a wonderful storyteller. A novel that will totally submege you into the world of its characters. Even the "weakest" character is so well developed that you love him more for his weaknesses. Also my edition had an interview with the author at the end of the book. It was so enlightening. Read it only after you finish... I have now decided that my next two Irving books will be Garp and Prayer for Owen Meaney. Both these novels have been tranformed to the "big Screen". Having seen Cider House on the big screen, I saw all that was missing. I am looking forward to reading these two and rediscovering the world according to Irving.
Rating:
Summary: Love this book - sad to have finished it!
Review: John Irving is an excellent writer! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I was sad when it ended.
Rating:
Summary: Listen to this book
Review: I have not much to add to the previous review, except to say that listening to this book as narrated by George Guidall ... is a real treat. It would raise my review from three to four stars. He is a prize-winning narrator. For all those obsessive and ruminating people out there who drive or walk to work thinking about work problems, who do housework worrying about family problems, who just need to think about something else, rent this book, and clap on your earphones and listen to the voices of all these intersting characters. It will take your mind off everything.
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