A Widow for One Year Audiobook By John Irving cover art

A Widow for One Year

A Novel

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A Widow for One Year

By: John Irving
Narrated by: George Guidall
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Ruth Cole is a complex, often self-contradictory character--a "difficult" woman. By no means is she conventionally "nice," but she will never be forgotten.

Ruth's story is told in three parts, each focusing on a crucial time in her life. When we first meet her--on Long Island, in the summer of 1958--Ruth is only four.

The second window into Ruth's life opens in the fall of 1990, when Ruth is an unmarried woman whose personal life is not nearly as successful as her literary career. She distrusts her judgment in men, for good reason.

A Widow for One Year closes in the autumn of 1995, when Ruth Cole is a forty-one-year-old widow and mother. She's about to fall in love for the first time.

Richly comic, as well as deeply disturbing A Widow for One Year is a multilayered love story of astonishing emotional force. Both ribald and erotic, it is also a brilliant novel about the passage of time and the relentlessness of grief.©1998 Garp Enterprises, Ltd.; (P)1998 Random House, Inc. Coming of Age Contemporary Literary Fiction Genre Fiction Sagas
Engaging Characters • Interwoven Stories • Masterful Storytelling • Compelling Plot Twists • Emotional Depth

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John Irving has a fascination with the red-light districts of Amsterdam, detailed in another novel "Until I Find You." This setting and the author's exploration of many controversial sexual themes keep his books lively, entertaining, and engaging. His tight control of the narrative is also an hallmark of his method. I have enjoyed all but one of John Irving's books and would welcome audiobook versions of all of older works. We have too few of his many great works.

Returning to Amsterdam

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I know, George Guidall is popular; however, although his voice is fine, he uses a certain even cadence that makes all of his narration very hard for me to listen to. I am constantly distracted and have to keep rewinding as my mind drifts off. He's great for putting me to sleep.
The story was typical Irving, which I always like. It's more about characterizations than a captivating plot. I just enjoy his writing. If you want an excellent story with an interesting pace, listen to Cider House Rules. This book was far too long and needed serious editing.

Not a fan of narrator.

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Couldn’t wait for the next chapter, but hesitated because I didn’t want it to end. John Irving is one of our master story tellers. There’s some language from time to time, but it fits the story. Don’t be a baby.

I’ve listened to more than 200 Audible books, and George Guidall is hands down the most rewarding narrator.

Irving does it again

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I love John Irving...what can i say. Its not the story line that captures you but the telling of it.
I personally love his dark humor and unconventional writing style. Reader beware be patient at the beginning you won't be disappointed.

Great book!

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considering John Irving is one of my favorite authors, I was very disappointed be how incredibly slowly this story unfolded. I kept thinking that something exciting or at least interesting would happen to one of the main characters and really had to force myself to keep listening. my first time being disappointed by a John Irving novel. maybe I'll listen tho Owem Meany again to remind myself what an great story teller JI is..

S. L. O. W!

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