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The Book Show
The Book Show

John Irving - Queen Esther

By Joe Donahue
Published November 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM EST
Book cover for "Queen Esther" by John Iriving
Simon & Schuster

John Irving has long been one of America’s most distinctive and beloved novelists. With his new novel, “Queen Esther,” Irving once again returns to the questions that have animated his career: What shapes a life? How do we carry the burdens of the past? And how does love anchor us through the most unpredictable turns?

Bonus conversation:

Bonus conversation
John Irving - author photo

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Joe Donahue
Joe talks to people on the radio for a living. In addition to countless impressive human "gets" - he has talked to a lot of Muppets. Joe grew up in Philadelphia, has been on the area airwaves for more than 25 years and currently lives in Washington County, NY with his wife, Kelly, and their dog, Brady. And yes, he reads every single book.
See stories by Joe Donahue
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