January '13 / Irving Reading: A Widow For One Year

[Scheherazade]

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Please share your thoughts on Irving's A Widow For One Year in this thread.

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[VerdantFields]

I didn't read this, but now I'm interested in the book club on here. Just out of curiousity though, how many people discuss the books that are listed in the book club? I guess my concern is reading something (I am busy with many other works) and then not being able to have a lengthy discussion regarding the work. I'm excited about the Henry James novel this month, but I'm hoping members are going to comment.

Also, seeing that I only have six posts on the forum, will I be able to participate in the discussions?

[Dark Muse]

Yes anyone can partake in the discussions, it is only nominating and voting that require a certain number of posts. But discussing is open to all.

As far as how many people discuss the books it really can very from discussion to discussion. I will admit that things have been a bit slow as of late, but we can always use more willing people to try and change that.

But I can relate to your concerns, I myself had every intention of reading this book but things have been hectic for me, and I had fallen behind on the book for the last months discussion, so I was a bit reluctant to try and fit the book in if no one else was reading or discussing.

[Scheherazade]

It is always rewarding to have a good discussion or have someone else reading the book along with you but don't we read the books for their own sakes, for simple reward of reading experience itself?

The discussions are only an added bonus. I am reading The Cider House Rules at the moment because it was more easily available at the library and also a friend of mine was very keen about it. However, I will read the Widow sometime this year as well.

Welcome to the Forum, VF.

[Bibliophile79]

I'd say Widow was the weakest of the novels I've read of his. Garp and Owen Meany were my two favs, with Cider House Rules coming in third

[VerdantFields]

It is always rewarding to have a good discussion or have someone else reading the book along with you but don't we read the books for their own sakes, for simple reward of reading experience itself?

The discussions are only an added bonus. I am reading The Cider House Rules at the moment because it was more easily available at the library and also a friend of mine was very keen about it. However, I will read the Widow sometime this year as well.

Welcome to the Forum, VF.

Thanks!

And yes, absolutely. The books are rewarding. However, I am fairly new to the world of literature so the discussions for some of these novels aid me incredibly. Others more experienced in analyzing literature often notice things that I would not have seen. Either way though, I will probably pick up The Bostonians since I have not yet read any Henry James.

[plainjane]

Oh, I loved this book. It is the first, and so far, the only Irving I've read. But I cannot tell you how wonderful the prose, the story, the interaction between his characters is. It's been a couple of years since I read it, and details have faded, but I felt a profound sense of affection for the characters. And, no, it is not mushy in the least! :)

I first came across it on account of the film The Door in the Floor, which covers only the first one-third of the book.
Highly recommended!