LOVE Vintage John Irving...Where next????

[CDMforever]

When I say vintage, I mean the likes of Owen Meany, Cider House Rules, Hotel New Hampshire and Garp. After that I think he went off the boil.
Looking for any authors similar to John Irving...can't think of the last time I read a book of the same calibre (correct spelling??!) of the above mentioned novels and I need to!!!!!

What do you like about John Irving? Is it the quirkiness and other-worldly characters (they are always characters to me, can only exist in his books, never in RL) or is it the long, satisfying story arcs?

If it's the former, I like Alice Hoffman for the same reason. She has a collection of short stories called The Blackbird House which are all interconnected that remind me somewhat of John Irving's descriptions and characters.

If it's the latter, I recommend Tully by Paullina Simons. Years after reading this I remember it being a great, long satisfying read.

I would have to say both libbyssister.
Thanx for the recommendations, off to amazon to have a gander.

I love Owen Meany and all of the 'old' John Irving books. Have you read anything by Wally Lamb? It's a bit like JI, but without the humour - BUT don't let that put you off! 'I know this much is true' is probably the most well known, but 'She's come undone' and 'The hour I first believed' are excellent too. Also, I recently read 'Last Night in Twisted River' and it was great. Very similar to some of his old stuff.

OOooh, haven't read Last Night in Twisted River as had lost faith in JI !
Will have a look at Wally Lamb, thanx.

Jane Smiley?