Wednesday, June 07, 2006
A Son Of The Circus
John Irving
1994
I just finished this book tonight, on the couch, while talking to Mike. Though my thoughts were at the intersection of Lonsdale and Russel Hill, I was trying not to make roommate Robertson feel I was neglecting him. Eventually, I put the book down (with only three pages left) to talk with Mike. After he went to bed, I finished.
Google this book and the word "complicated" will come up. Complicated is a word that means nothing in a review. This book was brilliant. It was so intentionally predictable that so much joy came from arriving at at a point that you knew would happen inevitably. Of course John D. and Martin would meet! So many events in the book - no not so many - every event in the book is forshadowed. There is not a character or occurence that does play some role at a later point. Mr. Sethna eavsdrops. That describes his character, but it allows ends up playing a key role in the arrest. A semingly minor detail ends up being a major part of the plot. This is classign thriller or myster writing, but Irving does it almost playfully. He inserts a random detail knowing that the reader will wonder what will come of it. Because, as in any Irving book, something will come of it. Every small detail is relevant. The reader's curiosity is teased, and the reward for reading on is so gratifying that the tease is enthusiastically tolerated.
"Still falling into the net." "Keep passing the open windows." "Watch out for the undertoad."
John Irving
1994
I just finished this book tonight, on the couch, while talking to Mike. Though my thoughts were at the intersection of Lonsdale and Russel Hill, I was trying not to make roommate Robertson feel I was neglecting him. Eventually, I put the book down (with only three pages left) to talk with Mike. After he went to bed, I finished.
Google this book and the word "complicated" will come up. Complicated is a word that means nothing in a review. This book was brilliant. It was so intentionally predictable that so much joy came from arriving at at a point that you knew would happen inevitably. Of course John D. and Martin would meet! So many events in the book - no not so many - every event in the book is forshadowed. There is not a character or occurence that does play some role at a later point. Mr. Sethna eavsdrops. That describes his character, but it allows ends up playing a key role in the arrest. A semingly minor detail ends up being a major part of the plot. This is classign thriller or myster writing, but Irving does it almost playfully. He inserts a random detail knowing that the reader will wonder what will come of it. Because, as in any Irving book, something will come of it. Every small detail is relevant. The reader's curiosity is teased, and the reward for reading on is so gratifying that the tease is enthusiastically tolerated.
"Still falling into the net." "Keep passing the open windows." "Watch out for the undertoad."
