Widow for a Year.

By John Irving.

Synopsis:
It's a book about a writer - Ruth Cole. Basically, it's the story of her life from when she was five, and her mother left, up to her being about forty-odd (can't remember exactly. Sorry) and getting married. For the second time.

Review:
Ah, it was OK, I suppose. If it was a movie, it would be a chick flick. It does get a lot better about two-thirds of the way through, though, so I'd recommend sticking with it.

I think I've just read too much Stephen King, but books about writers seem to bore me automatically (Difference being, I'll forgive King anything). Which is daft, as you should really expect writers to write about writers, that being something that they know quite well. I'm probably just bitter because I'd quite like to write for a living, if only I was any good at it. Or could be arsed to improve.

Ruth herself sucked. She's exactly the sort of person I can't bloody stand, and as such it was difficult to drum up much interest in her life. Her best friend was a bit more interesting, but she became progressively more bitter and miserable (obviously - I mean, she enjoys sex, she's had abortions, and she has no interest in having a family. So she's just got to be miserable, hasn't she?). In fact, I don't think I really liked any of the characters. Maybe that was the point... I mean, the vast majority of real people aren't likeable in the slightest... Still, it was superbly written, and definately kept my interest.

One small point; not knowing anything at all about the geography of New York and the surrounding area definatly hampers your understanding, somewhat (At least, I assume it was New York... Much of the action takes place in the Hamptons, which gets mentioned sometimes on Sex and the City. Such is the basis for my assumption).