THE IMAGINARY GIRLFRIEND

Laugh-out-loud moments abound in this writing and wrestling memoir from bestselling novelist John Irving. But the most moving remembrances focus on the relationships between Irving, his writing teachers, and, mostly, his coaches. Narrator Joe Barrett affects an empathetic tone and pleasing rhythm that allows listeners to relive the moments that turned a dyslexic reader and mediocre athlete into a celebrated author and successful wrestling referee and coach. While Barrett is a good match to the material and does a wonderful job, the audiobook is a missed opportunity for the author to bring his distinctive voice to his coming-of-age story, and we are sadly denied that intimacy. R.O. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2014]