Oh my goodness, Sari. I had other plans for what I needed to do in the past hour, but once I started here, I couldn't stop. What a riveting, eye-opening, challenging, and enlightening interview. I love that you came back at the end to ask about his questionnaire responses (brave you!), which yielded such a rich ending to the conversation. So good. Can't wait to read Queen Esther!
Score one for Sari. You made it happen. And with a wrestler.
From the start I kept watching the assertive thrusts of his hands, thinking he’s someone who wants to make things happen—to even make history—in the form of novels. To control the life stage with all its intricacies—intricacies he creates for himself.
But later on when the “puppet master” analogy emerged it all made sense to me.
Though fascinating and illuminating in itself, I wanted to get past or under all the “book talk”and ask about his personal draw to Judaism?
Having recently returned from a study trip to New Mexico about “conversos”—Jews who were exiled from Spain to Mexico during the Inquisition for refusing to convert to Catholicism—I learned that there are living descendants who didn’t know they were until they discovered it through genetic testing of their ancestry but wondered why they can’t eat pork or lit candles on Friday night.
A RC Bishop who now wears a Star of David as well as his Cross of Jesus.
Esther, the eponymous but “protagonist-not” was born in Vienna long before the Nazis, when upward aspiring Jews were flocking to convert to Catholism for the social, financial and cultural connections that briefly brought and to shed their heavy and unstylish cloaks of Judaism.
There’s so much more here than probably he’d have been willing to talk about. How much we learned and didn’t learn.
That wasn’t a criticism. And from his response to your questionnaire I doubt that he would have been willing to go there. But Jerusalem is a magical (aka holy) place. It does things to people. It did things to me. Thanks again for the provocative interview.
Finally got to listen to this after a tropical-imposed media blockout. What a wonderful interview, Sari! Wow, he's indeed brilliant and feisty and a bit of a charming curmudgeon. What you really got out of him, too, is his pragmatism, both in writing and life. His process is fascinating, the notes! the backwards planning! I learned so much. Thanks for asking my question...I'm not surprised he steered clear of the social commentary, leave it for the page, as he says. His questionnaire is a hoot too.
Thank you so much, Lauren! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. I appreciate the kind words. And thank you, too, for submitting that question. Hope you had a good trip.
How thrilling for you to have been blessed to interview John Irving. He is one of my favorite authors and I have read every book. Thanks for this. Fondly, Michael
"The essential things aren’t “age-related” to me" -- good answer. But, for a writer, pretty skimpy answers! I loved The World According to Garp and Cider House Rules. I will have to check out some of the other titles....
Phenomenal interview because you, Sari, allowed Irving the time and space to respond to your well thought out questions. I was fan girling a bit, as I too read World According to Garp as a teen and felt very grown up doing so. Prayer for Owen Meany is one of my top 10 favorite novels. This was time well spent, thank you for all you do, Sari!
Sari and John, this was such an insightful interview. Many thanks to both of you. I have already purchased "Queen Esther", and I look forward to reading it this winter.
Phenomenal interview because you, Sari, allowedlet Irving respond to your well thought out questions. I was fan girling a bit, as I too read World According to Garp as a teen and felt very grown up doing so. This was time well spent, thank you for all you do, Sari!
Oh my goodness, Sari. I had other plans for what I needed to do in the past hour, but once I started here, I couldn't stop. What a riveting, eye-opening, challenging, and enlightening interview. I love that you came back at the end to ask about his questionnaire responses (brave you!), which yielded such a rich ending to the conversation. So good. Can't wait to read Queen Esther!
Thank you, Deborah! I’m so glad you found this interesting and enjoyable!
Score one for Sari. You made it happen. And with a wrestler.
From the start I kept watching the assertive thrusts of his hands, thinking he’s someone who wants to make things happen—to even make history—in the form of novels. To control the life stage with all its intricacies—intricacies he creates for himself.
But later on when the “puppet master” analogy emerged it all made sense to me.
Though fascinating and illuminating in itself, I wanted to get past or under all the “book talk”and ask about his personal draw to Judaism?
Having recently returned from a study trip to New Mexico about “conversos”—Jews who were exiled from Spain to Mexico during the Inquisition for refusing to convert to Catholicism—I learned that there are living descendants who didn’t know they were until they discovered it through genetic testing of their ancestry but wondered why they can’t eat pork or lit candles on Friday night.
A RC Bishop who now wears a Star of David as well as his Cross of Jesus.
Esther, the eponymous but “protagonist-not” was born in Vienna long before the Nazis, when upward aspiring Jews were flocking to convert to Catholism for the social, financial and cultural connections that briefly brought and to shed their heavy and unstylish cloaks of Judaism.
There’s so much more here than probably he’d have been willing to talk about. How much we learned and didn’t learn.
But you got us here and BRAVO to you. 💐.
That wasn’t a criticism. And from his response to your questionnaire I doubt that he would have been willing to go there. But Jerusalem is a magical (aka holy) place. It does things to people. It did things to me. Thanks again for the provocative interview.
So glad you enjoyed it, Irwin. Thanks!
Thanks, Irwin! I think it would have taken an additional hour to go deeper on that front (or any of them). The book might offer more insight…
I liked John Irving's honesty," Nothing is accomplished by thinking about what you cannot change."
I love this (and the advice from his wrestling coach as the answer to halos of the questionnaire). Thanks so much for asking my question, Sari.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Jennifer! Thanks for submitting a good question to ask!
What an absolutely unexpected delight this was to find in my inbox today. Three cheers to "defiantly" done questionnaires!
Thank you, Iris!
What a way to start the day! Thank you Sari and John Irving!
<3
This is just so great, Sari — thank you! And now I’m determined to read all the Irving novels I’ve missed.
Thanks, Ed!
Finally got to listen to this after a tropical-imposed media blockout. What a wonderful interview, Sari! Wow, he's indeed brilliant and feisty and a bit of a charming curmudgeon. What you really got out of him, too, is his pragmatism, both in writing and life. His process is fascinating, the notes! the backwards planning! I learned so much. Thanks for asking my question...I'm not surprised he steered clear of the social commentary, leave it for the page, as he says. His questionnaire is a hoot too.
Thank you so much, Lauren! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. I appreciate the kind words. And thank you, too, for submitting that question. Hope you had a good trip.
How thrilling for you to have been blessed to interview John Irving. He is one of my favorite authors and I have read every book. Thanks for this. Fondly, Michael
Thanks, Michael! He’s incredible and I feel lucky.
I wake up thinking about what I can change; my mantra for every moment. Some one said," If you want to keep flying, don't look down."
That’s a great line.
This is Webby level stuff, Sari! Congratulations and thank you for this!
Aww, shucks, Carolita. And my pleasure! <3
"The essential things aren’t “age-related” to me" -- good answer. But, for a writer, pretty skimpy answers! I loved The World According to Garp and Cider House Rules. I will have to check out some of the other titles....
Phenomenal interview because you, Sari, allowed Irving the time and space to respond to your well thought out questions. I was fan girling a bit, as I too read World According to Garp as a teen and felt very grown up doing so. Prayer for Owen Meany is one of my top 10 favorite novels. This was time well spent, thank you for all you do, Sari!
Aww, thank you, Beth! <3
Sari and John, this was such an insightful interview. Many thanks to both of you. I have already purchased "Queen Esther", and I look forward to reading it this winter.
Glad you enjoyed this!
Fantastic interview. Thank you, Sari! x
Thanks, Val! Means a lot knowing you’ve interviewed him, too.
Phenomenal interview because you, Sari, allowedlet Irving respond to your well thought out questions. I was fan girling a bit, as I too read World According to Garp as a teen and felt very grown up doing so. This was time well spent, thank you for all you do, Sari!