Which John Irving should I start with?

[Debbie]

I've always meant to read some of John Irvings books, since my friends very much enjoy them. So my question:

Which book do you think I should start with? Which one is quintessentially John Irving?

[Shelly]

I would recommend starting with A Prayer for Owen Meany .

[Ramona]

Irving is one of my all time favorite authors. I say start with The Cider House Rules, or The World According to Harp.

[Debbie]

I'm mostly done with the basic challenge (30/40 read, and the others mostly planned out), but I'm just dipping my toe into the advanced challenge categories now. It looks like Cider House Rules is highly reviewed and over 800 pages, so I guess I'll start with that. I hope I can work Owen Meany into next year's challenges!

Thanks for the recommendations, ladies!

[Christophe]

The World According to Garp is one of my favorite. You can fit it under "book that spans a character' life span", and probably a few others. The Water-Method Man was the first I read, I think; I found it hillarious.

[Megan]

Definitely A Prayer For Owen Meany!!!

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

If you want a sense of how OUT THERE Irving can be, then I'd say go for A HOTEL NEW HAMPSHIRE, as it contains all of his recurring oddities in on book (incest, bears, etc). BUT, it could turn you off Irving if you are not prepared for some craziness!

My other choice would be A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANEY- it is a fantastic novel and heartbreaking as well.--Jen from Quebec :0)

[Mary Anne]

I would go for Until I Find You

All of his books are great though. You really can't go wrong. I just picked up Avenue of Mysteries and I can't wait to read it.

[Laura]

A Prayer for Owen Meany is my all-time favorite book.