John Irving: Classic or DUD

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He seems to be everywhere at the moment. Mark.S made a dig at him in another thread. I've only read 'A Prayer For Owen Meaney' but I liked it a lot*.

Would any Irvingophobes care to tell me why, in fact, it sucked.

* Spelling note: why do so many people write 'alot' for 'a lot'. I don't really mind, I just find it odd.

― Nick, Friday, 13 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

He was classic when I was about 13. I read Garp and Hotel New Hampshire at that age, and it really caused QUITE a stir amoung the PTA mothers, calling up my mum and complaining that I'd been reading such filth around the other freshmen. Good god, calm down, women.

Seemed terribly sophisticated when I was a teenager. I've never really tried reading him as an adult, tho.

― masonic boom, Friday, 13 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

The Garp bite off dick scene made my balls anti-drop for three weeks as a twelve year old so Dud Strike One.

The film of Garp had Robin Williams in. Dud Strike Two.

I am waiting for Dud Strike Three.

― Pete, Friday, 13 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Dickension Barouqe. Classic all the way around.

― anthony, Friday, 13 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

He needs a better editor. Hell, having one at all would be a start.

― tOM p, Friday, 13 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Dud dud dud dud. Irving = the DadRock of contemporary American Literature.

― stevie t, Friday, 13 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Which is fitting since he's ignored in academia and other critical circles.

― Josh, Friday, 13 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

'Garp' and 'Owen Meany' = Classic

Everything post 'Meany' = Dud.

(New novel = Classic apparently).

Yeah, 'Garp' was one of my favourite novels as a teenager. I loved it's playfulness, it's black humour, it's humanity. Haven't read it in a dogs-age though, I'll have to dig it out before I get to read his newie.

― D*A*V*I*D*M, Saturday, 14 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

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