BOOK: Until I Find You

AUTHOR: John Irving

SUMMARY: John Irving is back to the captivating style he used in Cider House Rules and A Prayer for Owen Meany. Although I have enjoyed most of his books these two are my favorites. I feel that he has captured the same success in this autobiographical novel. Irving seems to have a knack for looking at the underbelly of society. This tale is no different. His cast includes prostitutes, tattoo artists and older women who sexually exploit young men. In this, his eleventh novel, Irving uses some of his trademark subjects…feminism, wrestling, prostitutes as well and settings in Amsterdam and Maine. Irving fans beware; there are no bears or midgets. Having said this, I think this may be his best novel, having kept my attention for 822 pages. In fact, with 100 pages left I didn't want it to end. What on the surface appears a galloping sexual romp is a slowly unfolding show of sorrow. Yet, Irving has an ability to make me laugh and completely change my mind about the characters as he twists and turns through his novels. " Life forces enough final decisions on us. We should have the sense to avoid as many of the unnecessary ones as we can." This quote from Leslie Oastler in the novel seems to tie together this eccentric novel. It may not be the prettiest side of life, but it is a world we are used to seeing from John Irving. And he is a master of telling a coming of age story with a fascinating cast of characters. Once again, Irving dos not disappoint us in this novel.

PLOT: The first sentence in the book gives us a preview of the life of the main character, Jack Burns. "According to his mother, Jack Burns was an actor before he was an actor, but Jack's most vivid memories of childhood were those moments when he felt compelled to hold his mother's hand." The book is broken into five distinct parts, each showing a part of Jack's life from age 4 through his early forties. Irving retraces Jack's childhood across northern Europe, his grade school experience at a mostly girls' school in Canada, his all boys high school in Maine, his development as an actor and 2 trips to Europe. Throughout this adventure Jack is looking to find his father, William, an "ink addict" church organist and, of course, to find himself. When Jack becomes an actor and screenwriter he introduces us to a glitzy view of Hollywood. Strong female characters are an important part of Jack's growth. Irving continues to weave them throughout his plot. Alice, his often-absentee mother, is a tattoo artist. Emma, an older student, becomes Jack's best friend and mentor. Dr. Garcia, his psychiatrist, pushes Jack to resolve, forgive and move on. Jack is a very complex protagonist who has to search for the truth regarding his parents and their relationship to him.