Title: In One Person
Genre: Novel
Grade: B
Notable People: John Irving
Review: This is Irving’s 13th novel over a period of 40+ years and probably his most unusual. Irving is an absolutely great writer- so it’s really hard to tell if this first person account of man’s life from 1955 to the present is autobiographical or just fiction from pure knowledge, research and imagination. This is the story of a boy growing up bi-sexual in rural Vermont and the many “sexual suspects” (a term first used in the early 70s in GARP) that influence him. In some ways it is a reflection on homosexuality in the last half of the American 20th century. Is this about Irving? Who knows- but it does have all the usual accoutrements: bears, wrestling, New England prep school and small town, Vienna..and is told in his inimitable style. I had some trouble with this one; maybe just did not relate to the protagonist’s struggles- maybe not written as well- I’m honesty not sure. Worth considering a read.