| Name | Amy Kopperude |
| 1. Favorite book and why? |
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving because it holds nothing back. It's funny, strange, and has, BAR NONE, the best ending of book I've ever read. Irving possesses a superb talent for symbolism, for tying a plot together piece by piece until everything comes together in a wonderful finale.
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| 2. Least favorite book and why? |
I would have to say that The 158-pound marriage was my least favorite of Irving's books. I just thought it wasn't very interesting, and the plot seemed to take the same steps over and over. Also, the ending was unsatisfying.
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| 3. Favorite scene in favorite book and why? |
The very end of A Prayer for Owen Meany because it answers so many agonizing questions about the plot of the novel and because I've never felt such a great longing or loving for these two amazing characters. Never was friendship so richly portrayed more!
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| 4. Favorite character and why? |
Owen, of course, was my favorite character. He was so lovable and interesting without having to try. He was mysterious and serious in a way different from the other characters.
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| 5. Which character do you identify most with and why? |
I really don't identify with any specific character, but I enjoy characters who possess strength and are interesting. I might say that I identify with John from A Prayer for Owen Meany because he's so much of a bystander to everything that happens to Owen. He wants to be as "enjoyable" as Owen but knows he doesn't possess his character. Still, he follows his own path and is accepted easily by other characters in the book. He is not without faults or secrets, but he always means well.
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| 6. If you could see a sequel to one of the author's books, which would it
be and what would it be about? |
I thought that A Son of the Circus was such a quirky book with so many "Hercule Poirot" or "Alfred Hitchcock" sort of twists. It was fun and strange and didn't drain me of emotions or frustrate me the way some books affect me. I found it easy to pick up this book from time to time just to check in with the characters. Once the "mysteries" were solved, I rather longed to read another adventure between all of the characters.
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| 7. What do you like about author's writing style? |
He doesn't write about things that happen to people every day. He takes us on such a whirlwind of unbelievable events— some funny and some sad but all unique—that make the reader want to live a little more, if even to experience disaster.
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| 8. What are your favorite themes of this author? |
The reoccurring bear on the motorcycle and the foreign settings of so many of his books, especially Austria.
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| 9. What could be most improved about this authors books? |
Irving really focuses on odd relationships between parents and their children. I think that sometimes this can be too distracting and depressing, especially when one is familiar with his past works and he continues to write about rather drastic family issues. Still, I DO find that most of the time, these themes are still enjoyable.
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| Something about yourself |
I strive to read non-mainstream fiction. I like to read daring authors, people who aren't afraid to write about the topics we find objectionable or taboo. I think it's important for writers to open up to the world and allow readers to recognize their own fears, their own inadequacies, their own great struggles to retain love, peace, and happiness in this world.
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