May / Irving Reading Poll

[Janine]

I dread the Big "O"

Hi Asa , What do you mean; are you referring to the length of the novel "Owen Meany"?
From a slow-reader sympathiser ~
The hardbound book I own and have wanted to read for sometime, is a little over 500 pgs long, not 700. Yes, it was quite threatening to me at first, too - overwhelming is the word. But last night I started to read it, since a little bird told me it would be the book read this month. So far I love it and it goes faster than I would have envisioned. Lots of witty and fun dialogue - at first a bit of description and family history to wade through, but not bad, that's also quite witty and entertaining, enjoyable.
I love the films that have been made from Irving's novels.
I have seen these three: "Ciderhouse Rules", "The Door in the Floor" ( adapted from part of "A Widow of One Year"), and "Simon Birch" (adapted from "Owen Meany"). Since, I first saw "Simon Birch" I really wanted to read the novel it was based on. The movie is very good and funny and touching.
I am sure this will be a great discussion. Anyone of Irvings books would have been great!

[Idril]

Hi Asa , What do you mean; are you referring to the length of the novel "Owen Meany"?

I love the films that have been made from Irving's novels.
I have seen these three: "Ciderhouse Rules", "The Door in the Floor" ( adapted from part of "A Widow of One Year"), and "Simon Birch" (adapted from "Owen Meany"). Since, I first saw "Simon Birch" I really wanted to read the novel it was based on. The movie is very good and funny and touching.
I am sure this will be a great discussion. Anyone of Irvings books would have been great!

I think Asa was talking about Oprah, as in the Oprah book club, I don't think he's a big fan.

Just a warning though, Simon Birch made an absolute mess of the book so much so that Irving made them change the name and changed the 'based on the book...' to 'inspired by the book...'. The movie ends about a third way into the book or maybe half way, I can't really remember but there's a lot more to the story than what appears in the movie.

[Janine]

I think Asa was talking about Oprah, as in the Oprah book club, I don't think he's a big fan.

Just a warning though, Simon Birch made an absolute mess of the book so much so that Irving made them change the name and changed the 'based on the book...' to 'inspired by the book...'. The movie ends about a third way into the book or maybe half way, I can't really remember but there's a lot more to the story than what appears in the movie.

Thanks Idril - glad to know the book is way better than the film. I just thought the film good, maybe not great, but touching at the end. Glad I can't recall the ending now so I will be surprised at all the plot in the book. Yes, one of my favorite films is "Ciderhouse Rules" - I have seen that film many times and thought it was well done, but I have yet to read the book. I have it here and it is on my must-read list.

As far as the big O - thanks for filling me in. I just know that Asa is like me and when someone said 700 pages he might run the other way. On another thread we were kidding and said we would start the "slow-readers club".

Papaya, you have that thing about the big O slapping her name across the covers of novels, but the other day I had to laugh since I saw one of the well known classics we all love with the O banner smack across the cover. It was a 19th century novel, for heaven sakes. Oprah's parents were not even born yet, probably not even her great-grandparents! I had to laugh out loud! Anything for commercialism.

[Idril]

Thanks Idril - glad to know the book is way better than the film. I just thought the film good, maybe not great, but touching at the end. Glad I can't recall the ending now so I will be surprised at all the plot in the book. Yes, one of my favorite films is "Ciderhouse Rules" - I have seen that film many times and thought it was well done, but I have yet to read the book. I have it here and it is on my must-read list.

I haven't seen Simon Birch, I just can't quite bring myself to watch it. The book is very touching, weird and odd at times but it has some very touching moments as well. Ciderhouse Rules was a pretty good film, there were some big changes there as well but from what I understand, Irving actually had a hand in writing the screenplay so at least he was in on those changes, that makes me feel a little better. The best movies made from Irving books I've seen are the early ones, Hotel New Hampshire and The World According To Garp, they were kept remarkably close to the book and were very well done.

[Janine]

I haven't seen Simon Birch, I just can't quite bring myself to watch it. The book is very touching, weird and odd at times but it has some very touching moments as well. Ciderhouse Rules was a pretty good film, there were some big changes there as well but from what I understand, Irving actually had a hand in writing the screenplay so at least he was in on those changes, that makes me feel a little better. The best movies made from Irving books I've seen are the early ones, Hotel New Hampshire and The World According To Garp, they were kept remarkably close to the book and were very well done.

Idril, I guess I had the advantage here by not having read the books first. This way I became interested in reading them from viewing the films, and now can delve below the surface; much deeper into them. I know I read that "The Door in the Floor" was only based on part of the book "A Widow for One Year". I really do want to read that novel, too. The film was good, again not great, but I did like it and some parts were just amazing. Same with "Simon Birch" - definitely it is quirky and odd and even weird at times, but I liked it (in my final analysis) very much, enough to want to read the book. Sometimes this sequence is better for me, sometimes other way around. It all depends. I like it best, too, if the author actually has a part in the writing of the screenplay. I know John Grisham has done the same many times. It makes the film much better, even if they change some of the original script.
You know I have never seen "Holel New Hampshire" or "The World According to Garp" - only parts of the second film, and I have seen tons of films in my day. I must see both eventually. I know they are good films. Thanks for the tips on those two.

[Idril]

I've never seen The Door in the Floor, I should get that one. I've read the book and I didn't hate it and I didn't love it so I may actually be able to enjoy the movie since I wasn't that emotionally invested in the book. It's generally a bad idea for me to see a movie of a book I really liked, as you can probably tell and yet I so often feel compelled to do just that.

[Janine]

Idril, It seems "The Door in the Floor" is only a part of the novel "Widow for One Year". In fact I think the book pre-dates the film story. I am not quite sure. You might look it up online. I read something about it once, or they told this in the Special Features on the DVD. I thought it was a good story and film, but a terribly sad one. Some of the film I liked a lot and other parts I was not sure of. In the end it did hold my attention and I still thinking of certain aspects of the story, especially the tragic aspects, etc. I would say it is a fairly good film, but I forgot who directed it and I think Kim Basinger stars as the mother, Jeff Bridges plays the artist/husband. I forget who plays the young man who comes to work for them for the summer, but he is quite appealing and cute and a good actor. You should get the film and view it and then do let me know what you thought of it. I need to read the book someday. I have it here so no excuse, well, except time, that is....always time!

[Janine]

I am reading "A Prayer for Owen Meany" and loving it! Truly enjoyable so far. I can't wait to read tonights installation. I try to read a little each night and hope I get it done before discussion begins.

[optimisticnad]

i havent read any of these books! So i did the dip....:-) this should be fun!

[Scheherazade]

Going once...

[Scheherazade]

Going twice...

[Janine]

When does Owen Meany discussions begin - just curious? I am only up to page 120 but enjoying it emensely. Hope I can finish before the month is throught. I am a slow reader, but this particular style of writing seems to go quickly.