A Widow for One Year
John Irving
Doreen had been put off previous books by this author because of their covers, which were often a bit absurd. A long book, over 600 pages. The novel
shouldn't work - lots of the characters are writers, it could easily be very
self-indulgent - but it does. The author cleverly draws together the threads
of the different stories. Each character tells a different story, in their
own way. The main character is Ruth, who appears first at the age of four
and then in her 30s and her 40s. Both her brothers are killed in a car
accident. Ruth's father, Ted, writes terrifying children's stories which are
included in the book. The characters, while not likeable are entirely
believable, you understand why they behave as they do. A very humane book.
Doreen 12/9/99
A very good read, with surprisingly good female characters. The book certainly has its nasty bits, shock-horrors which you don’t see coming. The book doesn’t feature the bears ir wrestling which Irving seems to like, but it still has his hallmark dead children.
Caroline really felt like stopping reading the book when the sleazy Amsterdam stuff as going on, and found the sexual undercurrent sleazy and very “in your face”.
The book ends in a sort of happily ever after way (Doreen says she cried at the ending). Recommended.
Caroline 7/11/99
Andrew said this was a very good read , but he got cheesed off with everyone's motivation being sex. Even the moral character of Ruth behaves in a fairly immoral way. Although it was a great story and recommended reading Andrew did get bored with it. He has, however, bought a copy for a friend at work
Andrew 5/12/99
Jean didn't like this - she could only just read it to the end - nasty and sleazy - starts with car crash in which two boys are killed. Is cruel and horrible. She didn't want anyone else to read it.
Jean 2/12/01
By the same author
The frames have gone all funny - click to make it good.