In One Person

De: John Irving

Narrado por: John Benjamin Hickey

A compelling novel of desire, secrecy, and sexual identity, In One Person is a story of unfulfilled love - tormented, funny, and affecting - and an impassioned embrace of our sexual differences. Billy, the bisexual narrator and main character of the novel, tells the tragicomic story (lasting more than half a century) of his life as a "sexual suspect," a phrase first used by John Irving in 1978 in his landmark novel of "terminal cases", The World According to Garp.

His most political novel since The Cider House Rules and A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving's In One Person is a poignant tribute to Billy's friends and lovers, a theatrical cast of characters who defy category and convention. Not least, In One Person is an intimate and unforgettable portrait of the solitariness of a bisexual man who is dedicated to making himself "worthwhile".

©2012 John Irving (P)2012 Random House AudioGo

John Irving - Tormentor

Would you consider the audio edition of In One Person to be better than the print version?

I have text recognition issues so yes, the audiobook is better for me.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Grandpa.

What about John Benjamin Hickey’s performance did you like?

He's a great reader and characterises really well. He's a great actor too.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Irving manages always to skirt sentimentality (for me, anyway) yet draws sentiment in the most matter-of-fact way when announcing the premature deaths. Without wishing to spoil this story for those who've not read it, (self) deceit and death feature and the reader not spared.

Any additional comments?

I started to listen to this book when I bought it over a year ago. I really didn't like it. Listened for about 20 minutes. When I started it again a few days ago, it consumed me. I hugely enjoy Irving as a writer and story teller. I rate this among his best.

Excellent entertaing book that should be read by more people to enlighten this world about minority communities

Another adventure of sexual diversity that happens in all generations.It is authors like John Irving that is willing to push the boundaries by writiting interesting books like this and educating society at the same time that will help influence and help change soccieties views of what a lot of narrow minded people see as taboo . It is so sad that we just cannot accept each other for who we are and what we are. At the end of the day it does not matter we should love each other,people’s sexual orientation does not interest me' I try to love everyone regardless

Irving at his best!

Any additional comments?

John Irving has returned to his earlier form with his favourite themes. Reminiscent of Garp and Hotel New Hampshire there are complex characters, wrestling, sexual ambiguity and wretched mothers. If you like Irving's earlier work and aren't concerned about profanity you'll love it.

Irving has lost his magic

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Irving's earlier books drew one into a surreal reality that was simultaneously wickedly funny and disquietingly wise - Garp, Cider House Rules, Hotel New Hampshire come to mind, and Owen Meany, and Son of the Circus. In fact, all of them, the earlier ones.

Somewhere between then and now he seems to have lost that magical edge. "Last Night in Snowy River" was a little better than "Until I find you", but this last offering is probably the last I'll read. Which is seriously sad.

Wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.

What could John Irving have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

He should stop trying to be controversial and just tell us a story.

What does John Benjamin Hickey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

JBH is a great reader. His pace, inflections and voices always work. If it wasn't for his reading I wouldn't have finished the book.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Not a chance!