Getting to know John Irving

This book is a wonderful introduction to what makes Irving the writer and person he is. All short pieces, both fiction and non-fiction, there is enough variety here to fully represent the man. Each piece is followed by "author's notes," in which Mr. Irving explains, basically, "where he was coming from" when he wrote them. Very enjoyable reading.

An interesting and engaging mix of fiction and non-fiction.

This is a decent collection of Irving's shorter work, for sure.

I thought that many of the short stories were fantastic, great fiction, perfect Irving appetizers, not to replace the longer novels I adore more - but to offer smaller bits for readers with shorter amounts of time.

"Interior Space" and the title story "Trying to Save Piggy Sneed" were standouts. I was sorry I hadn't read this collection decades ago.

I can certainly understand how some readers will be a bit overloaded by the detailed wrestling history, that is a fairly large portion of this collection "Imaginary Girlfriend" - and that was the most challenging section for me to stick with as well. I still found it worth reading and am glad that I saw it through.

Trying to Save Piggy Sneed is an eclectic collection of short works by John Irving. It includes short stories, a semi-autobiographical tale, and a critical analysis of Charles Dickens' writing. The writing in this book was excellent, especially in regard to the creation of vivid, memorable characters. The writing was so good that it makes me want to read John Irving's novels. However, I gave the book only 3 stars basically because I have never been a fan of short stories. I have always found that they leave so much unresolved or unsaid...and as a reader that annoys me. I realize some people like this and that there are legitimate artistic reasons for writing in this way, but I just prefer the longer format of a novel that allows a more complete exploration of both characters and plot. Some short stories are not bad in regard to this issue, but the ones in this book are not. However, as I said earlier, I enjoyed the wide range of memorable characters in the book and as a result I plan to read Irving's novels.

An amazing collection.

Some entertaining and original tales - John Irving certainly has a good imagination!! Pension Grillparzer is particularly worth reading and particularly odd!

Granted, I'm a fan, but this is a very likable book even if you are not (although it helps to be a fan of wrestling). The author end-notes following each nonfiction piece provide added context and depth. One of my fastest reads of the year, I liked it so much.

I can't say what I loved most, the published pieces on display in this book, or John Irvings authors notes after each piece! I love his love of Dickens and appreciation for fellow writers of his genre, like Gunter Grass. Loved it all!

Perskaičius lydi jausmas, kad į šią knygą surinkti Irvingo kūrybos likučiai, netilpę ar netikę kitoms knygoms. Negalėčiau pasakyti, kad visiškai nepatiko, bet didelio įspūdžio irgi nepaliko. Nežinau, kaip paskutinis kygos skyrius, kuriame analizuojama Čarlzo Dikenso gyvenimas ir kūryba, gali sudominti skaitytojus, niekada neskaičiusius Dikenso.

The short stories do a great job of building characters that exemplify certain human characteristics, despite being in slightly strange or self-contained worlds.
The final essay about Dickens is a good way of rounding it off, especially for the few similarities between what Irving admires in Dickens and the contents of the rest of stories in the collection.

I don't deserve full credit for reading this book because I only read the nonfiction/memoir pieces. However, those works are excellent. Irving writes about writing in such a fascinating and metaphoric manner that I was captivated. The long piece on wrestling is very detailed, but I loved it thoroughly and the parallels he makes between wrestling and writing are genius.

I think John Irving is a tremendous author and I am on a quest to read everything he has written. So I began with this collection of memoirs, short stories and reviews. It did not disappoint. For those who enjoy reading that Irving and Kurt Vonnegut were neighbor, and that Irving once had an airplane conversation with the daughter of Thomas Mann. Beware: it is full of wrestling antidotes. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.