The Water-Method Man

Hilarious!

John Irving (1972): "The Water-Method Man" After meeting Technical Sergeant Garp in 1978 I was sufficiently curious to try out Irving's three earlier books, also lured by their inventive titles. "The Water-Method Man" was published when the author was 30, and managed to impress and partly delight me more than his earlier "Setting Free the Bears". Also, I quite liked the story's primary...more

John Irving (1972): "The Water-Method Man" After meeting Technical Sergeant Garp in 1978 I was sufficiently curious to try out Irving's three earlier books, also lured by their inventive titles. "The Water-Method Man" was published when the author was 30, and managed to impress and partly delight me more than his earlier "Setting Free the Bears". Also, I quite liked the story's primary premise, which is that Fred, who suffers from a too narrow urinary tract, is faced with the options of (a) surgery (apparently of a benign and non-drastic type, but surgery is surgery); (b) abstinence from sex and alcohol; and (c) drinking abnormal quantities of water before and after sex. This might be an existential test for each of us -- and we know what Fred chooses, of course. Of the three pre-Garp books I was most impressed by this one. Irving mixes details and passion and trivia in novel ways, and we become genuinely curious as to what happens to the characters. There are of course rich opportunities for feeling sorry for them.   hide

the first book i really loved...must re-read.

I absolutely adore this book. Trumper is such a pitiful, unwillpowered individual that just lets his life happen around him, that you can't help but love him and wish to fix him. It is not quite the "great work of fiction" that A Prayer for Owen Meany" and "The World According to Garp" are, but it is a good start.

This is one of my all time favourite books. I love it so much I cannot review it.

A clever mix of social observation and witty plot developments - a very entertaining read, first Irving I've gotten my hands on, looking forward to having the time for another one!

Wait to read this after you've become jaded.

An absolute stitch. Seriously. The documentary written about him is called "Fucking Up"

The Water-Method is John Irving's second book, written when he was 29 years old, but it certainly doesn't sound like it. This is, in fact, one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. It isn't too hard for me to find a book that will make me smile, but it is a rare pleasure to find one that will make me laugh out loud. The story follows the stalled and frustrated life of Fred Trumper...more

The Water-Method is John Irving's second book, written when he was 29 years old, but it certainly doesn't sound like it. This is, in fact, one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. It isn't too hard for me to find a book that will make me smile, but it is a rare pleasure to find one that will make me laugh out loud. The story follows the stalled and frustrated life of Fred Trumper (alternately known as Thump-Thump and Bogus), a 29 year-old graduate student who can't seem to pay bills, finish his thesis, or maintain a healthy relationship with a woman. In addition to these fairly normal problems, Fred also has to deal with a twisted urinary tract that causes him no end of problems. Given the choice between corrective surgery and something called the water-method, well, you can guess which one he opts for. In spite of some peculiar, interesting, and hilarious scenes, the basic plot of this story is nothing new. Marriage and dating struggles, infidelity, raising children, and love triangles are all problems dealt with in the book, but even if the subject matter tends towards the mundane, Irving's stylish and clever writing makes it enjoyable to read about. Especially clever are the various allusions to the Old Low Norse manuscript that Fred is attempting to translate for his thesis paper, and how its dramatic and epic elements mirror those more realistic experiences through which Fred must struggle. I think even Irving was aware of the rather stunted nature of the premise. Fred is friends and co-workers with an independent film-maker named Ralph Packer who ends up making a movie about Fred (the film's title is not really appropriate for this website, however). Various reviews and comments on the film actually mirror what negative things one might have to say about the novel itself, so on that score, I give Irving points for his tongue-in-cheek humility (and for the subtle and witty self-mockery). Although, much like water itself, this book is certainly thirst-quenching, there isn't too much substance here. It is refreshing nonetheless, and is a delight to read.   hide