I saw a trailer for the film based on this book,  and decided I should read it again before seeing it.  I love LOVE John Irving.  Surely he would be creeped out by that,  because I don’t know him.  But I LOVE what his mind comes up with.  There are very few books that I willing to re-read,  but John Irving’s books are some of the few.

I was looking at the reviews on Amazon and a lot of people were getting down on the book.  Because it “wasn’t realistic”  - “just didn’t ring true”  FICTION, people.  Do we understand the concept?  It’s NOT TRUE.  It’s a story,  that someone wrote.  FICTION.  For entertainment purposes anyone. 

Funny (not funny Ha-ha,  but funny queer) that quite a bit of this book in particular is about that.  About an author who is being criticized for not being REAL enough,  her fight to say that her books aren’t autobiographical.  BUT JUST STORIES, etc.

Maybe the character’s didn’t react realistically,  but - to me, at least - that is OK! 

Yet another great book by Mr. Irving.  If you haven’t read him,  go.  GO now!  THE HOTEL NEW HAMPSHIRE is one of my very favorite books.  Ever.  And THE CIDER HOUSE RULES,  THE 158 POUND MARRIAGE, A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY,  THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP.  You cannot go wrong with John.