Anonymous wrote:Loved a Widow for One Year. Cider House Rules. Hotel New Hampshire was very memorable but I'm not sure it's his best. I am in the minority: I did not enjoy A Prayer for Owen Meany.

I didn't like all the CAPITAL LETTERS in Owen Meany.

I've only read A Widow for One year and I loved it.. I keep thinking I should read others - especially Garp and Hotel NH and others that are highly praised, but there's only so much time. I did think the new book looked interesting (and then I realized it was SO LONG - I still put it on my to be read list, but who knows if I'lll ever get to it).

The Cider House Rules is my favorite.

Then Owen Meany, then Garp. I couldn't get into Widow for One Year.

Anonymous wrote:Loved a Widow for One Year. Cider House Rules. Hotel New Hampshire was very memorable but I'm not sure it's his best. I am in the minority: I did not enjoy A Prayer for Owen Meany.

I echo all of this!

I loved a Widow for One Year. That was my first and favorite. World According to Garp was interesting. I’m not a huge Irving fan, but I respect his work. He’s original and never bends to trends.

Anonymous wrote:The meandering is part of his writing style. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

Also: bears, New England prep schools, wrestling, unusual family dynamics, and sexual/gender exploration all seem to be common themes.

Loved a Widow for One Year. Cider House Rules. Hotel New Hampshire was very memorable but I'm not sure it's his best. I am in the minority: I did not enjoy A Prayer for Owen Meany.

Cider House Rules, Hotel New Hampshire and The World According to Garp.

A Prayer for Owen Meany
The Cider House Rules
Probably Last Night in Twisted River but I can't say I remember it that well.

For many years he was my favorite author. I'm very excited for his new book.

The meandering is part of his writing style. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

A Prayer for Owen Meany
World According to Garp
Hotel New Hampshire

World According to Garp

A prayer for Owen meany, cider house rules, world according to garp

A Prayer for Owen Meany

Just finished A Widow for One Year. I liked a lot of it, but at times it just meandered too much. I've enjoyed most of his books. If you are a fan, what are your top 2 or 3 books by him?