I almost put this book down after a few pages. My initial impressions was that it was a bit too much, been there; done that. However, it being John Irving and having read many of his other works I gave it a few more pages, then a few more, and a few more.
 Soon I was pulled into the world and family, perhaps predictably slightly dysfunctional yet endearing in almost every way.
“The Last Chairlift” is an invitation to the penultimate family event—I think. I’m trying to be clever, but “The Last Chairlift” is not about clever. It’s about family and connections and the ways it can sometimes all come together. Well worth every one of however many words there are contained in almost 900 pages.

There was a little bit of everything a fan would appreciate. The themes of acceptance, love, and nurturing come through along with ghosts. Not sure if the shotgun scene in Aspen was an homage to Dr. Thompson who lost his voice at the end in Woody Creek, but his heartfelt tribute to Mr. Vonnegut was appreciated along with the use of a spot lit semicolon. The great reveal of Rabi Karabekian is tough to beat as a swan song. The only regret is that The Water Method Man was never made into a film. Where the Buffalo Roam and The World According to Garp came out in theaters at the same time and Bill Murray would have carried Fred ‘Bogus’ Trumper nicely. Thank you from a very appreciative reader.

Usually thoroughly enjoy the author’s work but found this one a real struggle. Prayer for Owen and Last Night are favorites. Couldn’t even finish this one.