some more books

One of my favorite vacation pleasures is sinking into a good book, so last week I often found myself enjoying the spring sunshine, a cup of coffee, and the current paperback at a café. Specifically, I tackled The French Lieutenant’s Woman, by John Fowles, and A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving. The first is a thoughtful investigation of the Victorian period, specifically Victorian sexuality, written from the perspective of the 1960s. The story and commentary were interesting enough – I still don’t know what to make of the Victorians – but the most interesting parts were the points were Fowles would insert himself, the author, into his own story. He frequently discusses the typical conventions of Victorian novels, and the nature of the writing process. I think if I ever write a novel I’ll have a hard time keeping myself from making the same sort of interjections. Authors often say the characters they’ve created take on a will of their own, which is something I’ve never really understood. Fowles comes the closest, however, to making it clear.

As for Owen Meany, he’s one of the most unforgettable characters I’ve ever read. Irving creates someone so original that as I read I kept thinking it would be impossible to make the book into a movie because nobody could play Owen. My only criticism is Irving’s foreshadowing, which is about as subtle as a brick to the face. I love the tough questions the book asks about faith and belief, especially since Irving leaves so many open ended. Even now, a week after finishing it, I find myself reevaluating Owen’s convictions in my fleeting daydreaming moments. As sure as I am that God doesn’t work the way Owen thinks he does, it has a certain appeal to it. Deep down, I want faith like Owen’s, even though I know it’s misguided. I know this doesn’t make much sense to those of you who haven’t read the book, so go out and read it and then comment on my blog! My only criticism is Irving’s foreshadowing, which is about as subtle as a brick to the face.