5 Comments
User's avatar
Julie Mackin's avatar

I remember the first time I read this I was on a lunch break and took out - yeah that was a mistake! No eating while reading Irving.

Expand full comment
Kerry Winfrey's avatar

I will generally read anything, even while eating, but there were quite a few scenes here where I was basically reading through my fingers like I was watching a scary movie 😬

Expand full comment
Stephanie's avatar

I know I'm late to the party, but better late than never, eh? I'm absolutely loving this book. I haven't read Irving since A Prayer for Owen Meany for a high school class (which I also loved, so I'm not really sure why it has taken me this long to pick up another Irving?!) The voice, the tone, the RANGE of this book! Also, re: the Photograph, et al, will absolutely haunt me forever. As will the whole gonorrhea thing 🥴 Really there's a lot of horrifying elements, but they're somehow softened with heart and humor? (The range!) Looking forward to reading part 2 (both Irving and your recap 😁)

Expand full comment
MollyEberly's avatar

Loved your recap! I also was unprepared for how graphic it would be. I'm pretty squeamish about childbirth stuff and some of the descriptions (like when he writes about "scraping" certain female organs) I felt a little light headed and like I was going to have birth trauma flashbacks Lol. But I am enjoying the story so far and I do love Homer and Dr. Larch. I've never seen the movie! I'm curious the see how WW2 plays into everything. And I'm worried Candy is going to break Homer's heart.

Expand full comment
Kerry Winfrey's avatar

I would love to never hear the word “gritty” again!

Expand full comment