Andrew > Recent Status Updates

NOPE! So many people said so many good things about this book. I stopped reading because I was utterly disinterested, and if you know me, you know that is an astounding statement. I almost always finish what I've started. Skip this, and read 2666 instead. It's longer and covers a lot of the same themes, but it infinitely more engaging.

I've read this book twice, once at 20 and once at 30. Incredibly it was a different story to me each time. I'm going to see if it has metamorphosed in sympathy with the calendar once again.

Back to the female authors now.

I set out on a 5-novel cruise through female authors. It didn't occur to me until getting a significant way into this one that Robin could also be a man's name. Oops. So far, this book is highly interesting, so I guess I'll finish it and get back to the women next time.

It occurred to me that I never read female authors, so I'm on a 5-novel trek with the opposite gender.

This almost became the second book to make me cry. "A Prayer For Owen Meany" is still the only one, but I almost started balling during the closing stages of this book as well. Irving definitely makes you care intensely for his characters.

I think this is one of only three Irving books I haven't read yet, and I saw "Cider House Rules" in the theater, so I almost don't feel like I need to read that one.

Mark Foster recommendation.

I think Rushdie is my favorite writer from a purely literary standpoint. I might like John Updike a little better, but that's like comparing apples and Wednesdays.