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bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
3.0
Irving's most meandering novel since Until I Find You. Makes one wonder if his editor completely let go of the reins. As others have admitted, I mostly skimmed through the screenplay sections inserted into the nearly 1000-page novel. I noticed an unusual amount of lines that felt redundant rather than repetitive for the sake of emphasis. Again, this book needed to be edited down another hundred pages or so.
Still, I'll always appreciate Irving's overall writing style, channeling the 19th-century novel he frequently lionizes, and not shying away from details and context.
While I found the story's delivery lacked tension and had limited personal resonance (excepting a few sections), Irving's themes and tropes are nothing if not consistent:
-A writer protagonist that also happens to be his mother's "one and only," his father estranged/absent/unknown
-Sexual politics (the four most important women in the protagonist's life, who make up his "family," are either lesbian, bisexual, or trans)
-Critiques of Right-wing politicians (specifically Reagan's aids crisis failures, anti-choice Republicans, and homophobic reactionaries)
-German speakers and German phrases scattered throughout
-Wrestling, which features more prominently here than, perhaps, any of his other novels
-Most of the female characters are distinguished by their excessive crassness or roughness, "masculine" traits, direct communication style, and willingness with which they become aggressive or use violent language (as seen with Molly, Nora, and his mother in small doses)
-New England and Canada feature prominently, mirroring John Irving's real-life decision to become dual citizen, living in both places
Having read a dozen Irving novels, this one easily fits in the bottom quartile. Nonetheless, I don't regret reading it.
Still, I'll always appreciate Irving's overall writing style, channeling the 19th-century novel he frequently lionizes, and not shying away from details and context.
While I found the story's delivery lacked tension and had limited personal resonance (excepting a few sections), Irving's themes and tropes are nothing if not consistent:
-A writer protagonist that also happens to be his mother's "one and only," his father estranged/absent/unknown
-Sexual politics (the four most important women in the protagonist's life, who make up his "family," are either lesbian, bisexual, or trans)
-Critiques of Right-wing politicians (specifically Reagan's aids crisis failures, anti-choice Republicans, and homophobic reactionaries)
-German speakers and German phrases scattered throughout
-Wrestling, which features more prominently here than, perhaps, any of his other novels
-Most of the female characters are distinguished by their excessive crassness or roughness, "masculine" traits, direct communication style, and willingness with which they become aggressive or use violent language (as seen with Molly, Nora, and his mother in small doses)
-New England and Canada feature prominently, mirroring John Irving's real-life decision to become dual citizen, living in both places
Having read a dozen Irving novels, this one easily fits in the bottom quartile. Nonetheless, I don't regret reading it.
jennrocca's review against another edition
I don’t want to give this book stars. On the whole, I liked it. Characters are classically John Irving, interesting and complex. There is a “ghosts” elements I did not like. I think the story could have been better without them and they just weren’t necessary. I didn’t love the sections written as a screen play though I admit they logically fit the story well.
I don’t want to give it stars because with John Irving, like Neil Gaiman for me, I finish the book acknowledging that the plot, characters, overall story, and writing were all good… but I didn’t particularly enjoy reading it. I enjoy the fact that I have read it and I can reflect on it, but actually reading it felt like a bit of a chore. This books doesn’t deserve to feel like a chore.
I might recommend it to the right person. I will definitely think about it into the future. No rating.
I don’t want to give it stars because with John Irving, like Neil Gaiman for me, I finish the book acknowledging that the plot, characters, overall story, and writing were all good… but I didn’t particularly enjoy reading it. I enjoy the fact that I have read it and I can reflect on it, but actually reading it felt like a bit of a chore. This books doesn’t deserve to feel like a chore.
I might recommend it to the right person. I will definitely think about it into the future. No rating.
pia_moo7's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
mscrankypants's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
carpentd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
jbliv's review against another edition
5.0
The Last Chairlift is the best John Irving novel in a VERY LONG time, at least since A Widow for One Year, and maybe even further back. Here we have his classic mix: sex, humor, tragedy, pathos, sprawling family saga, wrestling, and movies. I went in with trepidation but emerged joyous. Well worth the ride.
ibbeldibbelleest's review against another edition
Veel te langdradig, teveel herhalingen, geen echt verhaal
remuslibrary's review against another edition
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
farbeach's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0