Queen Esther is labelled as an “unadoptable orphan”, that is until she is taken in by the Winslow family and takes care of their 4th child, Honor. Immediately we want to know more about why this orphan has been so labelled. The story unfolds - tragically, both her parents are dead and anti-Semitism has entered Esther’s world. While born in Vienna, Esther is brought up in St. Clouds in Maine before moving to living with the Winslow family as a 14 year old. Time goes by and we are introduced to another baby. Jimmy Winslow is a boy with two mothers : a biological one, Esther and the one who will raise him, Honor. As the story takes off the main themes of family and abandonment are explored. In between the pages of this story is a background of a looming war and a struggle to belong. Irving is a master of this kind of story as he waves in and out of story and hidden philosophical themes. There is along going on: pay attention reader or you will miss the humour and absurdity of the situation, stick with it and you will be rewarded and entertained by the way Irving masterfully weaves his story. Read it and enter this world so different from our own. Thank you John Irving for writing this story, thanks to publishers for publishing and to NetGalley for sharing the ARC in exchange for this freely given honest review.

Jimmy Winslow comes from a complicated New Hampshire family but the book is set in many other places too, most notably Vienna and Israel. Jimmy has two mothers - one a fanatical supporter of the state of Israel and the other one of four sisters in an unusual New Hampshire family. The book encompasses many themes - antic semitism, homosexuality, unconventional family setups, young people finding who they are, and mostly, the effects and horrors of prejudice. Jimmy matures throughout the story and the influence of his family follows him throughout his life. The narrative mostly flows freely but there are several moments of meandering which an unkind reviewer might describes as padding. Overall an engaging read with excellent characterisation and a fine sense of place. Many thanks to author, publisher and to NetGalley for my review copy.

John Irving's sprawling sixteenth novel, “Queen Esther,” is a frustratingly lopsided return to the familiar setting of St. Cloud's Orphanage from “The Cider House Rules.” While it revisits Irving's perennial themes, the critical consensus is markedly mixed, as the novel ultimately sidelines its most compelling creation—the titular Queen Esther—in favor of a conventional coming-of-age story. John Irving, known for best works such as “The World According to Garp,” “A Prayer for Owen Meany,” “Hotel New Hampshire,” and “Cider House Rules,” typically delivers narratives rich with wit, dark humor, and brilliant imagination. His novel, “Queen Esther,” initially promises the same compelling qualities. The introduction centers on Esther Nacht, a Jewish girl born in Vienna in 1905. Following her father's death and her mother's murder by antisemites in Portland, Maine, Esther is orphaned in the United States. She is taken to Dr. Larch’s orphanage before the age of four. With Esther's assertive, no-holds-barred personality apparent from the start, the reader is set up for what seems to be quite an extraordinary journey. Despite this promising start, the story of “Queen Esther” frustratingly sidelines its titular character, a baffling choice that defines the novel’s narrative problems. Esther’s adult life now is only hinted at through tantalizing suggestions of a legendary role as a Nazi hunter and leader in Israel's defense forces. Instead, the narrative focuses on her biological son, James "Jimmy" Winslow, who knows of Esther but has no personal relationship with her. His coming-of-age story encompasses his experiences as a wrestler and writer, his time in Vienna, and his attempts to evade the Vietnam draft. As each chapter wore on, there was always the fading hope that Esther would bring Jimmy into her world, and we could see the exciting story that was unfolding. Disappointingly, Jimmy’s story, though agreeable, was consistently hampered by Irving’s unnecessary detours. These frustrating digressions, covering already-trodden ground like orphans, adoptions, abortions, found families, and the draft, significantly slowed the pace. The book would have been much stronger with some judicious editing. Ultimately, "Queen Esther" is a sprawling and disappointing work. While John Irving's signature wit is present, the novel feels less like a focused narrative and more like a collection of his familiar preoccupations. The core tragedy is that the book's most compelling character, the fascinating Esther Nacht, is tragically relegated to the periphery. After a promising introduction centered on Esther, the author pivots to the more conventional arc of her son, making Esther merely a footnote in her own story. Fans will likely be left with a profound sense of letdown. Rated 2.5 rounded up to 3.0 because passages are still so good. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

QUEEN ESTHER - A rich tapestry woven with many different and interesting threads. Intriguing and intense, the multiple story lines, the variety of characters and the decades made for a good story. I would have preferred less verbiage. If you like The Cedar House Rules, you'll like Queen Esther Source: Netgalley. 3*