Last Night In Twisted River (Paperback)

Reviews

Reviewed by Amanda P. - 17 July 2011

If you want to follow John Irving’s journey as he became a writer, read Last Night in Twisted River. He gives hero, Danny Angel, his ‘writing history’, including the schools and colleges he attended, the historical events that influenced his writing and similar themes and dates of his published novels. Irving does not, however, give Danny his life. Irving says, ‘I gave Danny the life I am afraid of having – the life I hope I never have.’ In 1954, 12-year-old Danny kills the local constable’s girlfriend, ***** Jane, after mistaking her for a bear. Twisted River, a rough logging town, is no place to look for understanding or sympathy. Danny and his father, the cook, Dominic, leave, knowing that the small town bully will never forgive them. They outrun him for 47 years, changing names, homes, restaurants and loves along the way. But everyone knows that violence and tragedy beget more of the same. Their crazy friend, Ketchum, remains in Twisted River, watching out for the runaways – and watching the constable. Irving creates three unforgettable characters in Dominic, Danny and Ketchum. The women who colour their lives with beauty and love and grief are masterfully created. Dominic cooks his way through three states, five restaurants and two countries, Danny writes his way through nine novels. The book is sewn together with threads of war and served with plate after plate of food. Almost as good as The Cider House Rules and A Widow for One Year, I would have had Last Night in Twisted River up there with the best if Irving had left out the awful history lessons on the logging towns in the first 100 pages. Amanda Patterson www.writerswrite.co.za