The Devil in Mr. Irving

There’s narrative realism, and then there’s narrative realism.  John Irving has demonstrated his mastery of plot and narrative technique for a long time now, and his latest novel, “In One Person”, is the latest evidence of just how effortless he can make it seem.  But when it comes to the ‘realism’ part, well that’s another ‘story’. 

This is a novel about sexuality, indeed almost exclusively about sexuality.  It’s kind of a one-trick pony in that way, but it is a plea for tolerance and understanding of sexuality in all of its various expressions and flavors.  In that sense it touches on both the political and the personal realms.  But Irving has created the most unlikely set of characters with the most idiosyncratic sexual proclivities, all set in a sleepy New England town.  The tolerant, almost ho-hum attitude that the characters display toward each other is certainly not realistic, at least not in my experience.  For me, the tolerance is both off-putting and inspiring, but far from realistic.  And the combination of sexual tolerance with literary knowledge and sensitivity which informs so many of the characters can only be a reflection of Irving’s own sensibilities.

That being said, this is a not-so-short novel that purports to be traditional, narrative, and realistic, but is really (like other Irving works) about ideas.  The plot, the characters, the setting are just vehicles for Irving to make his case.  And make his case he does.

Not that there aren’t evocative and moving passages.  The section which deals with the AIDS crisis of the 80’s is incredibly moving, for example.  But there does seem to be something missing here.  The central character never seems to be truly and fully attached to anyone other than himself.  There is a good deal of narcissism here, and it does get a bit tiresome at times. As with some Dickens, I did get the sense that all of this was contrived just to make the point.

[By the way, an important male character is named Kittredge.  Any connection to Olive Kittredge of Elizabeth Strout’s also-set-in-New England novel?]

What a movie this would make!  It would almost have to be X-rated.  That’s kinda the point.  “Deep Throat”  “Deep Thoughts”  I don’t think this movie will ever be made.

If you’re an Irving fan, it’s a must read.  But if you’re squeamish about sexual topics, think twice.  The Tea Party would not be comfortable with this.  My mother was a very tolerant person, but I don’t think she could have handled this book.  But it is John Irving, and there’s always something to be learned from his books.  For me the more recent Irving novels haven’t regained the heights he reached in “A Prayer for Owen Meany” (perhaps the best plot ever) and “Cider House Rules”.  But I’ll always read what he writes.  And I’ll read it with gratitude and humility.