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margiebentley's review against another edition
4.0
John Irving's trademark quirky writing and sense of humour come through in this book. The topic is both timely and eye-opening (for a small town girl like me anyway). Certainly worth reading.
peculiarjoreads's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
pvnbleue's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
friedchickensuicide's review against another edition
4.0
We approach books with preconceptions and more often than not, that can totally destroy the experience. Sometimes, it works out. I had a few ideas about Irving, even though I had never read him before this one. I don't think I really need to go into it here. But this novel was such a surprise! I don't know, maybe it even got to his old readers. In One Person is an angry, uncompromising, explicitly political book LGBTQ issues. But it is also a narrative of great empathy, love and wisdom. Needless to say, I was moved. It started really slow, but the preconceptions helped me there: I knew this guy's books take a bit of time to get going. But soon I was caught up in the characters (and what brilliant, complex, colourful characters they are!) and their lives and I knew I was not gonna be able to put it down. This book is also a treasure house of literary references, especially marked for its adoration for Shakespeare and James Baldwin. I am actually going to sit down and read The Merchant of Venice today, no kidding! And some more of Irving, obviously.
Note: that is a really, really clever cover, and not the way you think.
Note: that is a really, really clever cover, and not the way you think.
paroof's review against another edition
5.0
The thing about this book is that John Irving made me feel like I actually knew Billy. He was so real - so honest and imperfect and brave. I love the way the novel comes full circle and the line that Billy leaves us with. And I enjoyed all the supporting characters - especially Grandpa Harry and Miss Frost. Yes, this was story about sexual identity and gender identity, but it was also a story about family and that is what made it so good.