The Water-method Man, by John Irving, is a 1972 novel about Fred ‘Bogus’ Trumper. The novels contains the events of later 1960s, the time when Trumper is going through a quarter-life crisis. It’s a coming-of-age novel that deal with themes of maturity and responsibility in a man in his early thirties, suffering a urinary tract affliction as well as emotional issues.
Irving uses multiple narrative techniques to bring certain elements to the story. The story is told in first person when Trumper is expressing himself, when he can’t or it becomes unbearable for him to do so, it feels as if he is using third person. The switch in the narration occur smoothly and without a pre-conceivable design. Apart from this, an epistolary format is used where their living conditions and other details are brought about using letters to companies who owe them money, or friends who they ask for money. A parallel is also drawn using the ballad of Akthelt and Gunnel. However, since most of its translation was fake, its simply wishful thinking on Trumper’s part as he would like to play out his story. Another narrative technique used is the use of film script, which is intelligently incorporated since Ralph has been making a film of Trumper’s life.
The narrative moves in past and present, where Trumper is describing his life with Biggie as a student and with Tulpen as a sound designer for Ralph. These events follow each other alternatively. The book has many tragic elements which have been used to create a comical theme. This mode of writing runs throughout the book.
Trumper comes across as a mean, shallow person who can’t figure out his life, simply because he doesn’t want to. He has commitment issues; he is an affectionate father but can’t empathize or emotionally connect with anyone. He is jealous and over-protective of Colm to the degree that he wants to raise him in a simulated environment. He is funny but hardly ever tries to enjoy his life out of his number of insecurities.
Other characters like Ralph and Couth are the standard ‘good’ friend caricature, one who is a womanizer and the other who is a caring person. Merrill is the strange one, one who would spin mad stories to get to women sleep with him. He is a person who gets to do drunk shenanigans and excuse himself by calling it an insulin reaction. The women however, are the strongest characters in the book. They make decisions, they stand by them, and unlike Trumper can express themselves and are not coward.
The water-method man comes across as the slap in the face of the first-country-white-male with unrecognized issues that affect him more than they should, one who can’t grow up or handle responsibilities. The book not only provides an effective conclusion to his story, but also does it in the perfect comic way without making fun of him.
