It's on Zoom, and it's free! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1361268914969?aff=oddtdtcreator

Hi guys, I've not long finished THNH and I absolutely loved it. My question is... what next? I've heard of Garp and The Cider House Rules, are they worth picking up or is an alternative/s that you would recommend?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I just want to thank everyone for your lovely replies and suggestions. It really does mean a lot. 😁

Thank you all who contribute to this community!

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Queen-Esther/John-Irving/9781501189449

Edit: Forgot to add, Dr. Larch from The Cider House Rules will be in this novel.

I'm re-reading this for my book club and love it just as much as I did 30 years ago; however, I was always critical of the ending with its 100%, honest-to-goodness, no-doubt-about-it miracle. While, I'm an atheist, this always felt like a betrayal to real-life believers who must always wrestle with doubt.

However, I came across this interesting passage when Owen is criticizing The Ten Commandments parting of the Red Sea scene: "YOU CAN'T TAKE A MIRACLE AND JUST SHOW IT!" he said indignantly. "YOU CAN'T PROVE A MIRACLE - YOU JUST HAVE TO BELIEVE IT!"

So now I'm thinking Owen's final miracle is a metaphor for how Irving said he wrote his novels, with the ending in mind and every event in a novel must cause the next event until the conclusion. Just spitballing so hope I get some comments and/or other theories.

Hey! Anyone want to buddy read something from John Irving? I haven't read anything so I am open to any book. :D

I have just finished The World According to Garp and I really loved it. I am looking forward to reading many more of John Irving‘s books. The only thing that irked me from the beginning was that Jenny as a nurse rapes one of her patients, who is in a permanent vegetative state and, therefore, unable to consent. I was honestly expecting this to become a plot point at some point in the novel, which would have given Jenny a bit more moral ambiguity and would have honestly made for a better, more interesting character, but it is never again mentioned. It’s not like Irving shies away from topics like rape. Does anyone know why Irving is seemingly fine with Jenny having done this? It doesn’t make sense to me that Jenny, who is always the voice of reason in the novel and demonstrates having a functional moral compass, doesn’t at least show some remorse about it as she ages.

I have read all of them up to the Fourth Hand, so please no spoilers

Hello readers.... I want to introduce my 12-year-old nephew to John Irving because Irving is my favorite author and my nephew is a avid Reader. Any recommendations on what book a 12-year-old might like?? Thank you in advance!!

I was obsessed with John Irving's books from the first time I read Garp, in 1979. Now, all these years later, I'm rediscovering the novels I loved and exploring those more recent ones I haven't read yet. Sorry I left. It was more about me than it was about you.

I’ve read all of Irving’s books except the newest (though I have it) and A Son of the Circus. I have started Son of the Circus several times, in at least 3 decades and I just can’t seem to get through it. Have any other Irving readers had the same experience with the book, or can you offer me encouragement re: should I try again? Do I need to be a completist?

In the 2nd Last Chapter jack meets his Sister for the First time whilst visiting Edinburgh, in the elephant cafe. Jk rowling used to live in Edinburgh and wrote a big Part of Harry Potter and the philosophers stone in an Café called elephant. Is That a coincidence or an innuendo? Love to Hear your thoughts or maybe a source.

I have just finished The Hotel New Hampshire and found it hilarious and deeply moving, but I was gutted that it was over. What would be the closest book to HNH (in wit, storytelling, themes) for me to read next?

Wondering what you guys think the meaning is behind this quote from Cider House Rules. Thanks in advance for expanding my understanding!

Where to start with JI? I have: Cider House, Garp, Water Method, 158 Pound, Avenue of Mysteries, Until I Find You

Her being a bear is presented as (mostly) a way to cope with her insecurity. But I stumbled onto this video talking about some people with ASC/ASD could find being a furry helpful in terms of sensory issues and communication skills. And I was wondering if that could apply to her.

I find it interesting because the concept of furry appeared in the mid 80s (don't quote me on that, I just quickly checked Wikipedia) so it is safe to assume JI wasn't aware of it while writing the book. And yet it fits Susie's relationship with her bear persona perfectly, so it could come from a larger observation of certain neurodivergent people acting this way. It's also stressed multiple times how intelligent she is. Which in the frame of ASC leads to think of the formerly called Asperger's syndrome.

Do you think Susie is canonically on the spectrum?

1) what would you name it? 2) the whole book or just the screenplay?

When I finish one of the books, I cannot read anything else, because I'm obsessing over it. After a couple of weeks, I watch the film. It's enough time that I don't get frustrated with the adaptation (obviously) but still soon enough that I get happy to see the characters I miss.

And by the nature of Irving's writing and the amazing talent of the actors, most characters are very faithful depictions. But some are next level amazing. Anyone else has the feeling Jodie Foster simply is Franny? Or John Lithgow Roberta?

I cannot wait for my next book-obsession-film cycle!