John Irving's latest novel, 'Queen Esther', is a lackluster effort from an author who once wowed readers with masterful storytelling. The book, which clocks in at 432 pages, attempts to return to the world of 'The Cider House Rules', a beloved novel from 1985 that set a high standard for Irving's work.
Despite its promise, 'Queen Esther' fails to deliver on several fronts. The titular character, Esther, is relegated to the sidelines as her life story serves as the backdrop for that of Jimmy Winslow, a younger relative adopted by Esther's family. Irving's attempts to tackle significant subjects such as Jewish emigration and Zionism come off as shallow, with Esther's experiences in Palestine largely glossed over.
Meanwhile, Irving's trademark verbosity is on full display, but it only serves to overwhelm the narrative. The author's propensity for repetitive plot devices and convenient coincidences detract from the story, making it feel clunky and predictable. Supporting characters are one-dimensional, and even Esther herself fails to make an impact as her journey is eclipsed by Jimmy's.
The novel's most jarring aspect, however, is its handling of Irving's recurring themes. The inclusion of wrestling, prostitution, and Vienna, among other elements, feels like a laundry list of tired plot devices rather than thoughtful explorations. It's clear that Irving has lost his touch, and 'Queen Esther' serves as a reminder that some authors can't replicate their past glories.
On the bright side, reading Irving's 1985 masterpiece 'The Cider House Rules' alongside 'Queen Esther' highlights just how much better it is. The original novel remains a timeless classic, with its exploration of abortion and belonging still resonating today. If you're looking for an Irving experience, skip 'Queen Esther' and return to the source – trust us, your time will be well spent.
Despite its promise, 'Queen Esther' fails to deliver on several fronts. The titular character, Esther, is relegated to the sidelines as her life story serves as the backdrop for that of Jimmy Winslow, a younger relative adopted by Esther's family. Irving's attempts to tackle significant subjects such as Jewish emigration and Zionism come off as shallow, with Esther's experiences in Palestine largely glossed over.
Meanwhile, Irving's trademark verbosity is on full display, but it only serves to overwhelm the narrative. The author's propensity for repetitive plot devices and convenient coincidences detract from the story, making it feel clunky and predictable. Supporting characters are one-dimensional, and even Esther herself fails to make an impact as her journey is eclipsed by Jimmy's.
The novel's most jarring aspect, however, is its handling of Irving's recurring themes. The inclusion of wrestling, prostitution, and Vienna, among other elements, feels like a laundry list of tired plot devices rather than thoughtful explorations. It's clear that Irving has lost his touch, and 'Queen Esther' serves as a reminder that some authors can't replicate their past glories.
On the bright side, reading Irving's 1985 masterpiece 'The Cider House Rules' alongside 'Queen Esther' highlights just how much better it is. The original novel remains a timeless classic, with its exploration of abortion and belonging still resonating today. If you're looking for an Irving experience, skip 'Queen Esther' and return to the source – trust us, your time will be well spent.
432 pages = wasted potential 
. Cider House Rules still stands tall as a masterclass novel 
! On a serious note though, John Irving can't win 'em all, right? It sounds like he's tried to recreate that magic from his earlier work but it just didn't translate this time around. The writing style is still super verbose but sometimes less is more, you know? 
I do feel bad for Esther, she gets lost in the shuffle of Jimmy's story. Maybe Irving should've stuck with the original character 
. At least we can all agree 'The Cider House Rules' is still a classic – that one never gets old 
!
... like, John Irving used to be a genius author or something? I mean, I've only read one of his books (The Cider House Rules) but it was so good! 
And now this latest book, Queen Esther, is just meh? 
what happened to him? did he lose his inspiration or something? 
. And the supporting characters are super one-dimensional too - it's like they're just cardboard cutouts 
.
. If you want an Irving experience, definitely stick with the original - trust me, it's way better 