The Water-Method Man

by John Irving

Book Overview

"John Irving, it is abundantly clear, is a true artist."--Los Angeles Times

Fred "Bogus" Trumper has troubles. A divorced, broke graduate student of Old Norse in 1970s New York, Trumper is a wayward knight-errant in the battle of the sexes and the pursuit of happiness: His ex-wife has moved in with his childhood best friend, his life is the subject of a tell-all movie, and his chronic urinary tract infection requires surgery...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 034541800X
• ISBN13: 9780345418005
• Release Date: June 1997
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Okay, okay, it's not "Garp" or "Owen." But it's VERY funny.

I love to read but I'm not an intellectual, so my review will be brief. I read this book in college (1984) and have kept it over the years, re-reading it whenever the urge for a little "Bogus" appears. I laughed so hard in my dorm room that my friend (a non-fiction-reading geology major) asked to borrow the book when I was through. Twenty years later, we still reference parts of the book when we're together. Though I'm not a huge movie buff, I've always wondered why this didn't get made into a motion picture. Of course, John Cusack is too old now to play Bogus, but I've always thought he had a kind of vacancy in his face that would be perfect for the role; he also has the charm, which Bogus obviously must have to attract the women he does. John Irving writes about flawed men in a way that makes me think he was once a woman, or (surprise) he's a man who's very in touch with his own weaknesses. Being a woman, I appreciate the honesty (and the humor).

Irving at his very best.

Ah, what can I say about a book that has accompanied me all around the world? The wit, sarcasm and character development of J.D. Salinger set in a more modern era. While the whirlwind plot changes may take a while to adapt to, I suggest sticking it out for what I consider to be the epitome of Irving's early Vienna, wrestling, East Coast prep character focuses. Bogus Trumper, a man too smart for his own good, tosses his life in the air in search of a completion of his incomplete past and voila, it all comes together in the end. A major book in Irving's repetoire and a must own. I am fortunate enough to own an autographed copy that I will forever treasure.

My favorite Irving book

It's interesting that I seem to be in the minority in considering this Irving's best work. By comparison, I feel that the more popular _Garp_ and _Owen Meany_ are overly contrived, needlessly wordy and take themselves too seriously--especially the latter. I would even describe _Owen Meany_ as self-important and pompous. _The Water Method Man_, on the other hand, has all of John Irving's signature style--irony, wit, creativity, intriguing characters, eloquence, and bizarre events (the ones that are so highly improbable--yet you're forced to admit--while laughing til you cry--well, that COULD happen!) Plus, it's endowed with a light touch, an easygoing feel, and a final realistic optimism--a sense of a profound potential for goodness in life despite all the pain and ridiculousness and humiliation that may come along. This isn't an uncommon theme for Irving but he achieves it here with the greatest clarity and simplicity. I would recommend this over any of his other novels, particularly for a first-time reader of Irving. _Garp_ and others have many pleasures, but to me, _The Water Method Man_ is Irving's best.

Why is this book not famous?

My sister so loved the hero of this novel, Bogus Trumper, that she named her cat after him. And while I'm not a fan of the cat, I do love this novel. No other book has made me laugh so hard. One scene in particular had me gasping for breath (I won't ruin it by describing it-- suffice it to say that it involves a prophylactic and attempted infidelity and that you will know it when you come to it). The Water-Method Man is far from perfect; I don't suppose it will hold up as well as The World According to Garp. But some books you love despite all their flaws and limitations. God knows John Irving made me very happy for a while.

My favorite Irving novel!

This was the first Irving novel I read--almost 10 years ago, at the age of 16--and as much as I love Garp, Owen Meany, and other Irving novels I have since read, Water-Method Man continues to be my favorite. First, few books make me laugh out loud. This is one of them. It's also one of the three books I don't go anywhere without. More importantly, it's a book about growing up (whether you want to or not), about taking responsibility for your past mistakes, and about having the courage to get at the root of your problems so that you can stumble, however blindly, toward what the future might bring you. The writing is brilliant. It is true that the chapters go back and forth in time; however, this is done to underscore the fact that Bogus Trumper is about to repeat some of his most disastrous mistakes. And if the chapters detailing Merrill's attempt to teach Bogus to ski and Bogus's "duck-hunting" escapade can't make you laugh, nothing can. Definitely a book for the reader who wants to think--and laugh. Enjoy!