Tag: john irving

Confessions

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring

Books.

I swear. It does not matter when I put a book on hold, nor how many end up in my queue at the public library. Inevitably, they will all arrive in the same week.

I thought about reading Jeffrey Eugenides’ new novel, The Marriage Plot, at the beginning of January. I think my request for one of five books in circulation went in at number sixty-something.

More recently, I added John Irving’s In One Person, and magically was very close to the top of the list. Finally, I had a whim to tackle the entire Chronicles of Narnia this summer, and thought it would be easier to just get the edition that has all seven books bound in one. (They looked so innocent in that cute little paper-back boxed set I got from a book order as a kid. This looks as intimidating as Gone With the Wind. Geesh.)

Continue reading “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” →

Books

Most Surprising Plot Twist or Ending

Day 13: 

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Given my more recent propensity for reading the end of books to see if they are even worth my time, it was hard for me to come up with a book that surprised me.  Hah.

From what I remember of this book (which I read several years ago, and only remember that I loved it, and then made John read it, and he loved it too), there is a huge buildup to the climax.  What is made clear throughout the novel is that Owen Meany practices a basketball shot over and over and over again with Johnny Wheelwright because he believes this is necessary for his destiny in life.  It is also very strongly suggested that the fulfillment of this destiny will result in Owen’s death.

Other than that, the actual moment of “The Shot’s” heroic appearance is bizzarre and completely unexpected.  I won’t spoil it.  Truth be told, I don’t remember enough detail to do a spoiler any justice anyway.  Just know that this was one book I did not read ahead and ruin in advance, and I was surprised.

30 Day Book Challenge, Books

Day 13: Most Surprising Plot Twist or Ending

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Given my more recent propensity for reading the end of books to see if they are even worth my time, it was hard for me to come up with a book that surprised me.  Hah.

From what I remember of this book (which I read several years ago, and only remember that I loved it, and then made John read it, and he loved it too), there is a huge buildup to the climax.  What is made clear throughout the novel is that Owen Meany practices a basketball shot over and over and over again with Johnny Wheelwright because he believes this is necessary for his destiny in life.  It is also very strongly suggested that the fulfillment of this destiny will result in Owen’s death.

Other than that, the actual moment of “The Shot’s” heroic appearance is bizzarre and completely unexpected.  I won’t spoil it.  Truth be told, I don’t remember enough detail to do a spoiler any justice anyway.  Just know that this was one book I did not read ahead and ruin in advance, and I was surprised.