"The first of my father's illusions was that bears could survive the life lived by human beings, and the second was that human beings could survive a life led in hotels."
So says John Berry, son of a hapless dreamer, brother to a cadre of eccentric siblings, and chronicler of the lives lived, the loves experienced, the deaths met, and the myriad strange and wonderful times encountered by the family Berry. Hoteliers, pet-bear owners, friends of Freud (the animal trainer and vaudevillian, that is), and playthings of mad fate, they "dream on" in a funny, sad, outrageous, and moving novel by the remarkable author of A Widow for One Year and The Cider House Rules.
Entertaining. Absolutely wonderful book. Irving draws you into the day to day lives of his characters. One of his best.
Jessica M. from OREGON, IL wrote on 1/8/2007...
If you like John Irving, this is a must-read.
David C. from MIAMI BEACH, FL wrote on 10/2/2006...
Six months on the New York Times Best Seller List, featured on the cover of Time, sold over 350,000 copies in hardcover, a must for all John Irving fans.
Sue B. from WETUMPKA, AL wrote on 7/28/2006...
Truly wonderful fiction from John Irving.
Jennifer M. from BALTIMORE, MD wrote on 7/18/2006...
I love John Irving and this is a classic. The novel is much better than the movie. An excellent read.
Patsy A. S. (duetproductions) from BLOOMINGTON, IN wrote on 12/5/2005...
A family "coming of age" narrative with Irving's usual quirky, loveable characters.