The Imaginary Girlfriend: A Memoir (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Writing wasn'taught-the essay was all-important there-but in my years at the academy I nevertheless wrote more short stories than anything else; I showed them (out..." (more)
Key Phrases: wrestling room, weight class, leg man, Ted Seabrooke, Lee Hall, Coach Seabrooke (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Concise, original, and enjoyable." -- The Times

"His "inexpressible personal opinions" as a critic are wonderful, slaying many a sacred cow." -- Tobias Jones, Spectator

"Interesting and surprising revelations." -- Michael Moran, Literary Review

"The patent sincerity of his passion gives an appealing authenticity to this memoir... Compelling and alive." -- Andrew Rosenheim, The Times Literary Supplement

:Irving can transform sex and violence and personal mythology with the best of 'em." -- Adrianne Blue, Independent on Sunday

Review

“THE NEAREST THING TO AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY IRVING HAS WRITTEN . . . WORTH SAVING AND SAVORING.”
–The Seattle Times

“IRVING’S WRESTLING COACHES, HIS WRITING MENTORS, AND HIS FAMILY ARE VIVID, INVITING READERS INTO A COLORFUL WORLD.”
–USA Today

“A MASTERPIECE . . . THE GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT THAT MARKS HIS FICTION LEAKS INTO HIS MEMOIR IN TENDER AND SURPRISING WAYS.”
–Edmonton Journal --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 159 pages
• Publisher: Trans-World (August 1997)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 0552996807
• ISBN-13: 978-0552996808
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,847,808 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Story, but buy Trying to Save Piggy Sneed, January 5, 2003

By	Z. Blume (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Imaginary Girlfriend (Ballantine Reader's Circle) (Paperback)

The Imaginary Girlfriend is a terrific memoir. Irving, while taking a break from writing novels, decided to pen a short autobiography, but he brought his usual sense of humor, ability to develop characters, and readable style to the project. The story does an excellent job of explaining the life events and people who have shaped his character and writing, which I think is very useful when trying to understand and appreciate his other books. I think this story itself is some of Irving's best writing and is certainly worth the short time it takes to read. I would recommend, however, instead of paying for the memoir alone, you purchase Trying to Save Piggy Sneed which includes this memoir as well as several short stories. You will not be disappointed if you are an Irving fan or just enjoy good, entertaining writing.

43 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars devistating standing cradle, November 26, 1999

By A Customer

This book is a must for anyone who has ever wrestled or followed the sport. Irving does a fine job of showing how the physical exertion and emotion he put into wrestling mirrored the creative process of his writing. He is able to capture the sweat, the smells and the camaraderie of the wrestling room while showing that he and his pals were not just a bunch of one dimensional oafs. He concentrates on the creativity and diverse personalities of the wrestlers on his team. Those of you who are former wrestlers who are coaching or who are totally retired from the mat will appreciate Irving's transition from college student, to writer, to family man without ever really losing contact with the wrestling world. Stories about referees and out-of-control sports parents are all too real, but will make you chuckle anyway. A quick read.Iriving shows how all of those old coaching cliches really do apply to life.

35 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy this book, June 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Imaginary Girlfriend (Ballantine Reader's Circle) (Paperback)

Buy "Trying to Save Piggy Sneed" instead, since it includes this work and several other pieces. It's just my stupid opinion, but I think the publisher deserves a big dope slap for republishing this seperately.