The Imaginary Girlfriend

by John Irving

Book Overview

"The nearest thing to an autobiography Irving has written . . . worth saving and savoring."--Seattle Times Dedicated to the memory of two wrestling coaches and two writer friends, The Imaginary... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345458265
• ISBN13: 9780345458261
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Great Story, but buy Trying to Save Piggy Sneed

The Imaginary Girlfriend is a terrific memoir. Irving, while taking a break from writing novels, decided to pen a short autobiography, but he brought his usual sense of humor, ability to develop characters, and readable style to the project. The story does an excellent job of explaining the life events and people who have shaped his character and writing, which I think is very useful when trying to understand and appreciate his other books. I think this story itself is some of Irving's best writing and is certainly worth the short time it takes to read. I would recommend, however, instead of paying for the memoir alone, you purchase Trying to Save Piggy Sneed which includes this memoir as well as several short stories. You will not be disappointed if you are an Irving fan or just enjoy good, entertaining writing.

A wonderful book

This is something I'd recommend to anyone. John Irving is THE great American writer of our generation, and his memoirs shed a lot of light on his other writing. If there's a reason not to buy this book, it's because it's included in the "Prayer for Owen Meany" collection and everything in that book is worth reading too, so you might as well get the whole thing.

devistating standing cradle

This book is a must for anyone who has ever wrestled or followed the sport. Irving does a fine job of showing how the physical exertion and emotion he put into wrestling mirrored the creative process of his writing. He is able to capture the sweat, the smells and the camaraderie of the wrestling room while showing that he and his pals were not just a bunch of one dimensional oafs. He concentrates on the creativity and diverse personalities of the wrestlers on his team. Those of you who are former wrestlers who are coaching or who are totally retired from the mat will appreciate Irving's transition from college student, to writer, to family man without ever really losing contact with the wrestling world. Stories about referees and out-of-control sports parents are all too real, but will make you chuckle anyway. A quick read.Iriving shows how all of those old coaching cliches really do apply to life.