… about John Irving. Among other things, his characters make him so interesting. Note the ether-addicted abortionist below. So in Last Night in Twisted River he introduces a woman vital to the plot and an eventual love interest for the main protagonist, How many times has this happened in literature and movies? Picture the ones you remember. For the most part they are almost cliches. The beautiful woman in the cocktail lounge. The surprise meeting in a phsyical situation. Most of it is almost standard. So how does John Irving do it. She is a muscular, big woman, even a former wrestler (a common theme) who parachutes nude into an artists’ party and lands in a pig sty. Among the first words the guy hears from her are something like “I’m covered in pig shit. I will kill those guys.” Nothing common or stereotyped there. Hmm now maybe I am giving writing lessons -- but, honest, only to myself.
About John Irving
LOVE this blog! Can't wait to really delve into it.
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