Last Night in Twisted River

reviews.metaphorosis.com

2.5 stars

In a logging camp in Maine, 12 year-old Daniel Baciagalupo makes a fatal error that sets him and his father on a life of slow-motion fugitives. As the pair keep moving, Daniel develops into a successful writer, and at the same time, learns more about his father, his mother, and their log-driver friend Ketchum.

Daniel's development as a writer draws heavily on John Irving's own biography, with vaguely similar books published in similar years, and a similar trajectory to success. Irving acknowledges as much in his afterword, though he's careful to point out that his character's life differs greatly from his own. Despite that, and perhaps because it took Irving many years to write, this feels like a highly self-indulgent book.

It's been some years since last read an Irving novel, but I remember enjoying them; this book had me wondering why. Irving's style here is pleasant and straightforward, but it's also so full of verbal tics that it quickly becomes  wearing. The story is, at its most basic level, simply not credible, and unfortunately many of the intricacies aren't either. Daniel, as an adult, is unpleasantly self-centered, and untroubled by it. Ketchum, the frequently appearing friend, is mainly an ass. Irving seems to see this, though he is careful to present Ketchum from his protagonists' point of view. Nonetheless, I got tired of Ketchum very fast.

The best part of the book is the relationship between Daniel and his father, and happily that's the bulk of the book. But so much of the color is bothersome that the book was more tiring than fun. I recall being uplifted and moved by A Prayer for Owen Meany. This book did neither of those things for me. The style of the writing didn't help. Not only are there verbal tics, but the story constantly jumps around in time, for no apparent reason other than that while the author was writing one thing, he thought of something that happened earlier or later.

Worth reading for those who really like Irving. If you're new to him, start with Owen Meany or The Cider House Rules, not here.

Very good but not exceptional. The best part of this type of book is the relationships and many were included but not fleshed out, though ultimately the bond between the three main characters might make up for it. But where Garp seemed cosmically correct, Last Night can be somewhat contrived.

The content of this book was very very intriguing. It's nothing like John Irving's earlier works (which I love), and is extremely wordy. The book also jumps around quite a bit, so it feels like you are reading the script for a Quentin Taruntino movie. It's a really great, engrossing story, with very accurate, interesting food concepts included. It's just one you really have to be in the mood for. :)

I certainly didn't read every book that came out in 2009, nor will I ever, but I doubt I'll read a book from 2009 that is as good as Last Night in Twisted River.

I certainly didn't read every book that came out in 2009, nor will I ever, but I doubt I'll read a book from 2009 that is as good as Last Night in Twisted River.