John Irving Explores Bisexuality in New Book

While promoting his new novel, John Irving shares his thoughts on bisexuality and talks about having boy crushes as a young man.

The book, In One Person, is a first-person narrative of an older bisexual man who struggles with his various attractions -- including those to men, women, and transgender people -- as he looks back on his life.

In the current issue of Entertainment Weekly, the acclaimed author of The Cider House Rules and A Prayer for Owen Meany says the story isn't autobiographical, but he admits to being drawn to people that society labels misfits. "In my day, there was a deep-set conviction that bisexual men don't exist," says Irving, 70, "that they're just gay men with one foot in the closet. These types of characters attract me because I fear for them."

Irving also admits to being drawn to older classmates while in school. "Was I ever gay or bi?" he offers. "No, but did I ever have unwelcome and sort of gripping crushes on the older boys -- like probably half of the people who went to all-boys schools did? Sure, I did."

Irving says he "hated" himself at the time for being attracted to males.

Read more of the interview here.