In One Person Audiobook By John Irving cover art

In One Person

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In One Person

By: John Irving
Narrated by: John Benjamin Hickey
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Buy for $14.43

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A compelling novel of desire, secrecy, and sexual identity, In One Person is a story of unfulfilled love - tormented, funny, and affecting - and an impassioned embrace of our sexual differences. Billy, the bisexual narrator and main character of In One Person, tells the tragicomic story (lasting more than half a century) of his life as a "sexual suspect," a phrase first used by John Irving in 1978 - in his landmark novel of "terminal cases," The World According to Garp.

His most political novel since The Cider House Rules and A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving's In One Person is a poignant tribute to Billy's friends and lovers - a theatrical cast of characters who defy category and convention. Not least, In One Person is an intimate and unforgettable portrait of the solitariness of a bisexual man who is dedicated to making himself "worthwhile."

Accolades & Awards

Lambda Literary Award
2013
Coming of Age Lambda Literary Award Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Tearjerking

Critic reviews

This tender exploration of nascent desire, of love and loss, manages to be sweeping, brilliant, political, provocative, tragic and funny - it is precisely the kind of astonishing alchemy we associate with a John Irving novel. A profound truth is arrived at in these pages. It is Irving at his most daring, at his most ambitious. It is America and American writing, both at their very best.
In One Person is a novel that makes you proud to be human. It is a book that not only accepts but also loves our differences. From the beginning of his career Irving has always cherished our peculiarities - in a fierce, not a saccharine way. Now he has extended his sympathies - and ours - still further into areas that even the misfits eschew. John Irving in this magnificent novel - his best and most passionate since The World According to Garp - has sacralized what lies between polarizing genders and orientations. And have I mentioned it is also a gripping page-turner and a beautifully constructed work of art?
All stars
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Would you consider the audio edition of In One Person to be better than the print version?

I have text recognition issues so yes, the audiobook is better for me.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Grandpa.

What about John Benjamin Hickey’s performance did you like?

He's a great reader and characterises really well. He's a great actor too.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Irving manages always to skirt sentimentality (for me, anyway) yet draws sentiment in the most matter-of-fact way when announcing the premature deaths. Without wishing to spoil this story for those who've not read it, (self) deceit and death feature and the reader not spared.

Any additional comments?

I started to listen to this book when I bought it over a year ago. I really didn't like it. Listened for about 20 minutes. When I started it again a few days ago, it consumed me. I hugely enjoy Irving as a writer and story teller. I rate this among his best.

John Irving - Tormentor

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Another adventure of sexual diversity that happens in all generations.It is authors like John Irving that is willing to push the boundaries by writiting interesting books like this and educating society at the same time that will help influence and help change soccieties views of what a lot of narrow minded people see as taboo . It is so sad that we just cannot accept each other for who we are and what we are. At the end of the day it does not matter we should love each other,people’s sexual orientation does not interest me' I try to love everyone regardless

Excellent entertaing book that should be read by more people to enlighten this world about minority communities

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Any additional comments?

John Irving has returned to his earlier form with his favourite themes. Reminiscent of Garp and Hotel New Hampshire there are complex characters, wrestling, sexual ambiguity and wretched mothers. If you like Irving's earlier work and aren't concerned about profanity you'll love it.

Irving at his best!

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