shnoogle111

shnoogle111 OP t1_jdwkm3u wrote

Reply to comment by dankpoots in Donna Tartt and John Irving by shnoogle111

For sure! I think I’d classify it as a Bildungsroman because even though he does stay mired in the past, it does detail his psychological and moral changes as he grows. I think the experiences of growing up during the Vietnam War inform his views towards modern politics and international affairs. All that said, I think you are spot on that he does remain stuck in the past. I think that may be indicative of many of the Vietnam War generation who were so closely affected. And oh I loved Cider House! Probably my second favorite after Owen Meany. All that said, I read Owen Meany in the summer in between high school and college, and I feel it may be impossible to separate my interpretation from the specific time in my life I read it.

And yeah Irving does have a ‘a thick’ so to speak, but I think it slightly changes as he ages and perhaps comes to terms with those details of his life. It’s interesting that like John from Owen Meany, he also moved to Canada and has strong feelings towards his government. I suppose life can sometimes imitate art!

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shnoogle111 OP t1_jdvedy4 wrote

Reply to comment by [deleted] in Donna Tartt and John Irving by shnoogle111

It’s a very interesting observation. Based on the way, she discusses characters, I almost get the vibe that she is coming from a very privileged place, and most of her interactions with said people may be limited. I get the vibe that she is writing about her preconceived motion of the character types versus the reality in doing so, I feel she denies many of the characters, a significant portion of their humanity all in all, and again this is only my personal opinion, I do not feel this book was worthy of the Pulitzer Prize.

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shnoogle111 OP t1_jdvbgfd wrote

Reply to comment by kit_leggings in Donna Tartt and John Irving by shnoogle111

Agreed. I found certain passages enthralling and others meandering, but it was maybe a 50/50 split. I think in writing there is sometimes a hesitancy for editors to edit too much on an author that has displayed some level of critical merit or general popularity.

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shnoogle111 OP t1_jdvb3sx wrote

Reply to comment by TheChocolateMelted in Donna Tartt and John Irving by shnoogle111

Ohhh Stoner! I actually read that. Loved it.

As for Irving I do agree with your assessment. It can feel like reading the same book over and over with the same motifs. I think that all writing in fiction is in someway and in varying levels inherently autobiographical, however, I think he may lean into his experience is too much if that makes sense?

All that said, I found Owen Meany to be one of my favorite pieces of fiction, but after reading that I felt overwhelmed by the rest. I imagine it may be a similar experience, regardless, of which work of his you start with. Like you said, he has a very distinct style that he rarely deviates from.

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