Like other Irving books I’ve read, this one was both funny and sad as well as quirky at times. The story kept me engaged as I wanted to find out what happens next to Franny, John, Frank, Lilly, Egg, etc.

Irving is one of my favorite authors, and this is one of his best. I haven’t seen the movie, but I’m sure the book is much, much better. How could you not love a book in which the family has a pet bear?

This is my all-time favorite book.