John Irving

[TN_Vixen]

Is one of my favorite authors and although I've read almost all of his work, I haven't - until tonight - seen "The Cider House Rules"

sniff

Excellent film.

Exellent.

Anyone else a fan of John?

Garp?
Owen Meany?

 

[Naked Hunny]

Ohh I loved "The Cider House Rules" maybe ill break that book out again to read!

 

[Guest]

Only the Best

John Irving is one of the best contemporary American authors, in my opinion. His work is full of heart and memorable characters. All of his stuff is worth reading, particularly if you've missed A Son of the Circus or his earlier works, like Setting Free the Bears or Hotel New Hampshire.

Cider House Rules was a great film, better even than Garp, I think and certainly better than Hotel New Hampshire. Did you catch Irving's cameo as the agent at the railway station?

Ever see "Simon Birch?" It was based loosely on A Prayer for Owen Meany.

 

[TN_Vixen]

Water..

I remember "Setting Free The Bears" and "Hotel New Hampshire"

Was Irving the one at the station at the end, when Homer comes back?

And "Simon Birch?" OOoooh, I missed that one.

I agree completely with his ability as an author to flesh-out his characters to portray not only the good but the bad of humanity.. his work rings with authenticity and value. I learn something everytime I read OWEN MEANY.. hehe

 

[Guest]

It's been a while since I saw the movie, but Irving is the only stationmaster-type character in it. I can't recall if he was in the early scenes or the later ones, but he's definitely there, wearing a blue uniform and a conductor's hat. I think he wrote about the experience in "Saving Piggy Sneed."

As for Simon Birch, go rent it, but don't expect Owen Meany directly translated. A lot of the more meaningful subplots are left out, such as the Vietnam war allegory, and Owen's parents and the tombstones, but the basic story is well told, focusing on the two boys. Ashley Judd is great as the mom; the story is told in flashback by a grown-up Johnny Wheelwright, played surprisingly subtly by Jim Carrey -- one of the few movies in which he doesn't play himself.

 

[Guest]

Normally just a BB reader but had to jump in because I'm such an Irving fan.

Agree that his books just get better and better -- and even the earliest were great. The movies (Cider House was the best adaptatation, IMHO) just can't do the books justice, because the characters and stories are so complex.

 

[riff]

You already know that I enjoy Irving's work and that I am reading a Prayer For Owen Meany.

Have you read The Water Method Man?

 

[circe!]

158 Pound Marriage

Anyone read that one? John Irving is my favorite contemporary male author. I loved Hotel New Hampshire the best, Setting Free the Bears the least.

Anyone recall that poet he's quoted in his books?

 

[TN_Vixen]

riffy

You already know that I enjoy Irving's work and that I am reading a Prayer For Owen Meany.

Have you read The Water Method Man?

I don't recall having read The Water Method Man. Now I have movies to rent AND books to buy.

 

[Guest]

Re: riffy

I don't recall having read The Water Method Man. Now I have movies to rent AND books to buy.

And here I was trying to give you a subtle hint...

 

[TN_Vixen]

you assumed...

I wasn't blonde. *wink*

 

[E.NonnyMuse]

I've read all Irving's work except "Setting Free the Bears". For me "Garp" is the Great American Novel, and his breakout work. I think his previous efforts were exercises written at Iowa Writers' Workshop. The movie of Garp was better than Cider House because it better captured the sarcastic undertoad present in all his writing. When I saw the movie of Cider House, I thought it was yet another case where the novelist should have stayed in New England and left the screenwriting to the Hollywood gang, but it was almost as good as Garp. I don't understand the childish sniping between him and Tom Wolfe. Wolfe's good,too,just different. They should grow up and respect each other's considerable talent. My two cents.