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Title: Desperately lightweight
Review: A John Irving book is always something to look forward to - Piggy Sneed, Cider House Rules, Garp, Water-Method Man, all great, entertaining books - compellingly written, engrossing and the best type of best-seller.The Fourth Hand however is almost laughably bad, mainly perhaps because it comes from John Irving. I find it hard to believe he really wrote this, as the sophomoric writing, plot and structure are just staggeringly weak. Perhaps, as Salon says, the book "is just a quick shot at another bestseller before the glow of the Oscar wears off". If so he'd better get the polish out ...
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