101 Books to Read Before You Die discussion

Discuss chapter 7 through the end of the book.

I read this one several years ago for my in-person book group. I did not like it at all and neither did most of my book group. Maybe I am just too stupid or too dense or something to understand what was supposed to be going on. But I found the characters and circumstances completely contrived and incomprehensible as well as unlikable. I have never returned to this author since this is the book which seems to be cited as one of his best.

I read it after having watched the movie in high school, thinking the book had to be better (as is usually the case). I remember feeling it was just crass and pointless, but it was so many years ago that I do want to re-read it now and see if I still feel the same way about it. I have a feeling I'm going to be pretty much in line with you, though, Irene.

I am finished now. However I enjoyed the book and have enjoyed other Irving works. Irving does express a lot of unhappiness with America and religion in general. I found it to be clever and well written. It may be more correctly classified as a fantasy rather than a novel.

I am more surprised that there has been virtually no discussion of the book. I would guess most have either already read the book or taken a pass on Irving completely.

Hoping to finish this one today.

I wish it wasn't as long, and sometimes I felt as though the middle chunk of the book drug on at times. I am completely immersed in the characters of Owen and Johnny. Their friendship is ahead of their time, and I'm already weepy knowing how this book ends...

I was the same way Britany; completely immersed and dreading the inevitable end. It was a bit different than I expected but only partly. I did cry. I actually cried at many other parts too. I enjoyed it very much and feel like I will read it again someday. It is one of those rare treasures which warrant more than one pass.

Yes Catherine, YES!!! Well, needless to say that I did finish...

What a brilliant book! I just loved Owen and Johnny's love for him. I loved all the aspects and symbolism throughout the book. Most of all, the "armless" aspects. 'My hands are God's instruments' I wonder how Irving came up with this whole idea...

I did appreciate the sentiments of the nation regarding the political events including the Vietnam war. Just felt like some of these sections drug on longer than I felt necessary.

here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Britany wrote: "Yes Catherine, YES!!! Well, needless to say that I did finish...

What a brilliant book! I just loved Owen and Johnny's love for him. I loved all the aspects and symbolism throughout the book. Most..."

Thanks for sharing your review. I agree about the political stuff. However, I was a teenager/young adult during the Reagan era. I found it interesting to hear the reaction to his presidency from a different perspective. I was young and still think he was a good president, but it is helpful to see why not everyone saw him that way. Also being born during the Vietnam war I didn't have much knowledge of the politics and I enjoyed hearing his point of view on that as well.

What shines most about this book though is the friendship and the faith in God that they both had. It was a real faith not just "religion" which is something that most people can benefit from seeing an example of in this world.

Yes Catherine, I agree :) Faith and friendship are the key themes of this novel and why I fall in love with the story over and over again!

I read this a couple years ago. it's one of my favorites. Would read it again.