An initially engaging tale of the impacts of antisemitism that drifts into shallow repetition.
Feature image credit: Simon & Schuster
It has been 40 years since the release of one of John Irving’s most beloved and recognised novels, The Cider House Rules. With his latest work, Queen Esther, we are promised and given a joyous return to the orphanage and the character of Dr. Wilbur Larch, when Thomas (Tommy) and Constance (Connie) Winslow attend to adopt a young orphan by the name of Esther.
Esther becomes au pair to the Winslow’s youngest daughter Honour, forming a lifelong bond of friendship which ultimately results in the birth of James (Jimmy) Winslow: Esther’s child but Honour’s son. Following the birth of the child, Esther leaves the Winslow family home and travels to explore and discover what it means to be a Jew.
When Jimmy reaches adulthood, he goes away to try and identify who he is, much like his mother did, as he pursues his dream of being a writer, which was inspired by his grandfather, Thomas. During his time away, the shadow of conscription hangs over him, and he is guided, from a distance, by his two mothers in the options and opportunities that may dismiss the shadow.
Queen Esther starts strongly, with the introduction of the Winslows, the return of Dr. Larch, and the identification of Esther’s strongminded approach to understanding what it means to be Jewish – both the good and the bad. It is a powerful and forthright examination of antisemitism, clearly stating that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
With Esther’s departure, the focus of the novel shifts to that of her biological child Jimmy, and Irving’s constant literary companions return – Vienna, sexual outliers, wrestling – but unlike his previous novels, they never truly sit right, and Queen Esther loses the warmth and character of its earlier chapters.
For the man who also gave us the literary triumphs of The World According to Garp, The Hotel New Hampshire and A Prayer for Owen Meaney – just to name a few of his 16 novels – to offer such promise and to only deliver a portion of it is disappointing, especially to diehard Irving lovers.
Reviewed by Glen Christie
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Simon & Schuster
Released: November 2025
RRP: $36.99
