There is nothing I like more than a long novel, with a good plot. Add in a multi-generational story, and I am hooked in. In that regard, this book did not disappoint.
The simple storyline is about a father, Dominic, and his son, Daniel, and their friend Ketchum. One night, Daniel mistakes the local town’s sheriff’s girlfriend for a bear and kills her. The rest of the story deals with the actions they take immediately afterwards and for the next 50 years as they flee from Twisted River. Irving takes us on a journey, from New Hampshire, to Boston, to Iowa, to finally, Toronto. Along the way, we meet many interesting characters who played a part in Dominic and Daniel’s lives in all of the cities.
A friend of mine once told me that all of John Irving’s books had a bear and wrestling in them. Now, I don’t know if that is true, as the only books I’ve read prior to Twisted River was A Cider House Rules, The Hotel New Hampshire, The Fourth Hand and A Widow for One Year. I loved the first two of those books and I was fairly disappointed in the latter two, although they weren’t horrible. There is wrestling in this book, but the bear is more metaphorical.
Twisted River is definitely more on par with Cider House and Hotel, though. One of my main criticisms of the book was the lack of development of the female characters. I would have loved to have gotten to know Carmella better, for instance. It’s true, yes, that the women weren’t in the story line for long, but they could have been developed further. And why the obsession on size? Don’t we get enough of that in the media?
The other problems for me were the extensive use of both names, the 9/11 and political ranting, Lady Sky’s storyline was a bit contrived and there was unnecessary dog killing. Irving used the name Dominic Baciagalupo many, many times instead of just one or the other. Let’s face it, that name doesn’t just roll off the tongue as easily as John Smith. And as the characters changed names it got worse.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book and I recommend to anyone who has ever read John Irving. If you haven’t then don’t start with this one.
Verdict: B; borrow or buy in paperback unless you are a die-hard Irving fan
