dankpoots t1_jdwjath wrote on March 27, 2023 at 6:37 PM

I've never read The Goldfinch, but I wanted to comment because I find your interpretation of Owen as a coming of age story to be really intriguing. I just reread it and found it to be almost the opposite of this - while the protagonist does age as the story progresses, he is mentally and emotionally mired in an almost perpetual childhood or adolescence. I think that's what is meant to be symbolized by his virginity, sexlessness and lack of ability to move past traumatic events in his life. I think Cider House is a better example of the true Bildungsroman. This isn't to smear Owen, though. It is one of my favorite novels and I've read it many times since first being assigned it in English lit.

I LOVE John Irving, and while I have to agree with the commenter who says the themes and emotions in his novels can be repetitive, I don't think it's inevitably a bad thing for a novelist to have a "schtick."

shnoogle111 OP t1_jdwkm3u wrote on March 27, 2023 at 6:45 PM

For sure! I think I’d classify it as a Bildungsroman because even though he does stay mired in the past, it does detail his psychological and moral changes as he grows. I think the experiences of growing up during the Vietnam War inform his views towards modern politics and international affairs. All that said, I think you are spot on that he does remain stuck in the past. I think that may be indicative of many of the Vietnam War generation who were so closely affected. And oh I loved Cider House! Probably my second favorite after Owen Meany. All that said, I read Owen Meany in the summer in between high school and college, and I feel it may be impossible to separate my interpretation from the specific time in my life I read it.

And yeah Irving does have a ‘a thick’ so to speak, but I think it slightly changes as he ages and perhaps comes to terms with those details of his life. It’s interesting that like John from Owen Meany, he also moved to Canada and has strong feelings towards his government. I suppose life can sometimes imitate art!