It's hard to imagine where I would have seen it - because I feel like it was in school - due to the strong sexual nature of literally every sentence presented in this book, and because I vaguely recall a sense of discomfort certain scenes could have given me but it is all presented with such taste and gentle understanding of human nature and the world itself that I suppose it couldn't ever have been obscene (I'm sure Hollywood would have toned it all down, anyway).
There is so much love packed into this book that it's hard not to be affected. Irving writes with such sensitivity of the human experience. Yes, we are flawed and life is riddled with disappointments, but above all, there is the tragedy and tenderness of love. Homer's decisions were often frustrating to me, in likely the same way I would have reacted had I actually known him and been able to interact with him. He is so surrounded by love, but he fails to see it in so many ways. I found myself to personally have Dr. Larch's interest at heart, and though it was so easy to be annoyed by Melony's dogged pursuit of Homer, their inability to tear themselves away from this person (which I'm sure could reflect any man out there) struck as something that was undoubtedly pure and real.
It's also an incredibly literary book - in its self awareness, and its attachment to other greats. I would like to read David Copperfield one day, if nothing more than to hear some of those lovely passages again as if to rake up sort of distant memory. The short "catch phrases" of Irving's own creation are powerfully effective as well, and I found them so incredibly moving. Let us be happy for the Princes of Maine -- the Kings of New England. They will always have a family.
