This novel is not for those without readerly stamina. At 912 pages, you are going to have to love John Irving dearly, or have a passion for reading novels come hell or high water. If the former, then it’s hard to see the publication of The Last Chairlift as anything other than good news, in so far as there’s now a great deal more Irving to read. But what about those of us in the latter camp who are only, say, Irving-curious?
The first thing to note is that this is Irving’s 15th novel – and that he is now 80. By any measure, he has been a hugely successful writer, and has touched millions of hearts: The Cider House Rules and A Prayer for Owen Meany were massive global hits. This book retreads familiar Irving territory: uncertain paternity issues; long passages about wrestling; unconventional people in conventional small town New England; physically small characters; characters who are writers; a mute character; lots of discussion of cinema; a great deal of sex and sexual politics.
