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Title: Hard to read - for true Irving fans only
Review: I've never before been pretentious enough to think I could see an author developing through their work but I think I'm starting to with John Irving. This is his first book I believe and has some strong characters and an interesting plot but it very hard to read. Obsenities in the story are weakened into something unintelligable and the whole thing is hard to get through.I read his second book, 'The Water Method Man', right after this, and it is similar in style but a nicer story and easier to read (a bit).If you are just starting out with John Irving, don't start here! 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' and 'The World According to Garp' are delightful - start there!
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