His novels are so packed with detail that they reward re-reading. So your 'first' read is just that—a first impression. You'll miss things, forget characters, overlook foreshadowing. That's okay. The order matters less because if you become a fan, you'll likely circle back. I've read 'Owen Meany' three times, and each time I catch something new in the meticulous setup. So take the pressure off. Choose one. If it clicks, you have the joy of many more books ahead, and the potential to revisit them later with deeper appreciation.
Think about what you've enjoyed recently. Liked 'The Dutch House' by Ann Patchett or 'The Interestings' by Meg Wolitzer? That big, family-focused, decades-spanning drama? Try 'A Widow for One Year'. More into the quirky, slightly magical realism of someone like Karen Russell? 'The Hotel New Hampshire' might suit you. Irving sits at a weird crossroads of literary fiction and almost fable-like storytelling. Finding a modern comparable might help bridge the gap. He's not for everyone, but if you have a taste for detailed character studies where bizarre things happen and are treated as normal, you'll likely enjoy him.
My two cents: ignore rankings. Every fan has a personal favorite based on what resonated with them at a certain time in their life. I read 'The Cider House Rules' when I was thinking about career choices, and Homer's struggle spoke to me. My brother read 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' after a loss, and it gave him a framework for grief. There's no objective 'best'. There's only the book that finds you at the right moment. So maybe skim the first chapter of a few. See which character's voice you want to follow for the next 500 pages. That's your book.
2026-07-24 13:00:20
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**
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