Favorite John Irving novel. And remember "Sorrow Floats"

[maveric]

Poll question: Favorite John Irving novel. And remember "Sorrow Floats"

IMHO Cider House Rules was his best work, but the one I enjoyed reading the most was The Water Method Man.

[joeybee12]

1. I was SOOOOOOOOOOO Disappointed with "A Widow For One Year"

hat said, I voted for Cider House Rules. His best and most mature work--he hasn't been able to recapture that ability in his books since.

[InkAddict]

4. TheFourth Hand was

very creepy - maintaining a relationship w/a hand? Could never figure that he would agree to that woman's demands for "visiting rights." Way too much of "what goes around, comes around."

[newyawker99]

9. Congrats InkAddict!! 400 posts

:toast:

[searchingforlight]

2. Cider House Rules - rules but I would also choose a Prayer ----

[WWW]

10. Owen

I have walked by this post a dozen times and not responded because as you can probably tell from my post nos. I don't tend to comment much. But I guess I had to put my two cents in tonight. While I was reading Owen Meaney in the early 90's,, I met my father for the first time (me age 32) in NH wearing a red dress...The similairies with my life compared to those in the book just blew me away. That book really changed my life making me realize that truly everyone has a purpose in this world. Everyone has the potential to make a difference in a good way, whether we take not it or not.I guess I started believing in God again and not leaving everything to random chance. Of course Bush and his adminstration changed all that. But that feeling in a divine being was great while it lasted.
And I have to put this disclaimer in every time so you don't think I am a freeper, I am married to Old and in the Way (8000 posts) and I am probably more liberal than he is.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

3. Just about to finish The Fourth Hand

And it's a good one, but not of Owen Meany/Cider House Rules caliber.

[MaineDem]

5. The Hotel New Hampshire

The only one I've read. I didn't understnad it but I read it. What was with the bear in Berlin anyway?

[mitchum]

6. "The 158 Pound Marriage"...

the first Irving I read (and still my favorite)

[Wickerman]

11. i have to 2nd that

his most economical and sure of itself without being overbearing. He's a great writer, taught by my favorite author, Vance Bourjaily.

[LynneSin]

7. I love them all, but I have to go with Cider House Rules

But I was disappointed in the movie. They ruined the relationship between Homer and Candy!

[Paladin]

8. I'll Go With "The World According To Garp"

A genuinely life-changing novel, from my experience; first book where I found myself mourning for the characters (because in the end, you may remember, Irving tells you exactly how all of them end up dying). The movie of it was OK, but not anywhere nearly as good as the book.

Runner-up: "A Widow For One Year."