I bought this thinking it was an Irving title I'd somehow missed -- and a memoir no less! Then it turned out I had read it before, as it was originally featured in Trying to Save Piggy Sneed. No matter; it was good enough to read again. I was amazed that I was so interested in the wrestling parts! Also, apart from the very cool title, chapter titles include: The Half-Pound Piece of Toast, and The Hundred-Dollar Taxi Ride.

Love the title of the book. The book, however, is not quite what I expected. An autobiography by Irving's own words, but very little about the writing of his novels. Really, we only got a little about Setting Free the Bears. Garp was mentioned, but only to frame the setting of what was to be said. This book was a story of Irving's love of wrestling and how it is more a love (I think he would agree with that terminology) than writing is.

I am a wrestler . . . well, was a wrestler. I have enjoyed the references in his novels and like the discussion here. It takes me back. I like that he kept coaching wrestling long after most of the novels that made Irving a household name were published.

I came to this book in an interesting way. Freedom. I have no To-Read list any longer. My 2019 reading pursuits were all accomplished. I don't really have a plan for 2020. I am back to reading what suits me when the book I'm reading is done. To that end, I signed up for an incredible deal for Kindle Unlimited. I figured I would give it a true try. Costing me virtually nothing, I went searching for something to read. Ah, there's the rub. I am not finding much of interest easily. This came up as the only Irving book. I used to read him quite a lot back in my days in Boston. An interesting tidbit is that I looked at attending Exeter. My mother poo-pooed it as too far away, but I was enamored for a minute back in 1979-80.

This book also came with audio. Instead of me listening on my phone as I read on the Kindle as I have done a few times recently with Hoopla, the Kindle Fire shows me what Amazon can offer: an all-in-one experience. I loved that! Of course, when I clicked wrongly and would advance by mistake, when I returned to the correct page, I had to start over. I can't find a way to fast forward. :( Also, the reader for this particular title did little for me. I was not a fan of his reading style and I don't think he captured Irving's humor well nor his demeanor. I have heard Irving speak and do not think he was served well by Joe Barrett.

Anyhow, an interesting tale for fans of Irving. This is by no means a complete life story of an author told in a traditional autobiographical manner. It's unconventional, but then again, so is Irving.

More wrestling than I expected. Less talk about his family, his influences, etc. than I expected. So now I know he likes wrestling a lot. Still, I gave it four stars because it is amazingly well written.

I have read a lot of John Irving's books in the past, so a memoir about him sounded interesting. And it was interesting but probably not to anyone who hasn't followed John or read his books. I knew nothing about wrestling before this book and I have a better grasp of it now although I think I might pass on becoming a wresting fan. But I always like to learn new things and I did with this book.

Why are so many writers ex-athletes who see their writing in terms of their failed athletic careers? Almost as backups to those careers in sports...

But I like books and sports. So it works for me.

I enjoyed this book on two levels...learning what it takes to become a successful author and how a man's passion for wrestling can extend into adulthood. I have read several of John Irving's novels and enjoyed them, but having been married to a wrestling coach for more than 50 years, it was fun to read about someone else who found wrestling important all of his life. At least Bob didn't continue wrestling, but coached and went to wrestling meets and tournaments.

Great to read about the formative years and relationships of one of my favorite authors. The memoir is old now and very out-of-date but still nice to catch up on Irving’s early years. A nice quick & easy read reflecting his humor, insights, and self-deprecating nature.

I enjoyed this book a lot, but if you're not a wrestle-mom, I doubt that you will. It is a lot about wrestling...and how much he weighs...and how much his teammates weigh...and how much his kids weigh...and which teammates/coaches were really good wrestlers...and which ones were not. I think you get the picture.

One of the beautiful things of reading his collection of short vignettes on his life is that I now truly feel I understand more about my favorite writer. Any Irving fan should read it.

I love John Irving. And I love him even more after reading The Imaginary Girlfriend.

John Irving is one of my favourite authors. Can’t believe it took me so long to read this autobiography. Great insight into the author’s life, beautiful memoir of friendship and mentors.

The Imaginary Girlfriend by John Irvingtt 8/2/2020 Paper

tI swapped a pile of past readings loading my book shelves and picked up five interesting mostly older reads. This John Irving title brought back memories of all his best sellers I’d read a half-lifetime ago. While I plugged my way through to the end, it wasn’t what I expected. I knew of his lifetime interest in wrestling but I was disappointed in the detail covered in this book. Much of his ramblings in this memoir are dedicated to the sport. I’m sure it was a thrill to those many individuals. However, those details were a little boring to this reader.

It is a short book and a quick read so I didn't waste much time on it. Overall, absent a strong interest in the sport, I’d suggest you take a pass.