the memory of running

about 3/4 of the way through and enjoying this book. it's a sort of coming of age story of a middle aged man. he's been coasting in a holding pattern for many years and suddenly several events converge to push him onto a new path where he meets an eclectic bunch of quirky characters and learns something about himself or about life at every turn. the situations are characterized by the sort of missed connections and social faux pas that are common in john irving's work, but are overall more uplifting and encouraging. john irving asks us to laugh at things that are sad and he doesn't temper with love. there's a meanness to john irving's work, a bitterness. there is enough bitterness in everyday life to suit me. plus - it's easy to stop at bitterness. the more difficult task is to redeem the bitterness with love. ron mclarty shows us that there is sometimes humor in an odd place, and that although life is not always neat & tidy and although sometimes it can be a bit of work -- everyone can be connected and everyone can have love.