Ysenda Maxtone Graham

One holy mess

Ysenda Maxtone Graham finds Irving’s latest novel, Avenue of Mysteries — largely concerned with the Catholic church — one holy mess

issue 23 January 2016

This novel, John Irving’s 14th, took the sheen off my Christmas, and here are the reasons.
 

  1. The comments on the back of the book (‘Irving is the wisest, most anguished and funniest novelist of his generation’ — Chicago Sun Times) made me feel lonely. He might have been wise, anguished and funny in The World According to Garp, 33 years ago.
GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY 3 MONTHS FOR $5
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Start your 3-month trial today for just $5 and subscribe to more than one view

Comments

Join the debate for just £1 a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in