a book
The World According to Garp: A Novel
John Irving · 1999 · 544 pages
The bestselling coming-of-age classic novel by John Irving--now in a limited 40th anniversary edition with a new introduction by the author.
"He is more than popular. He is a Populist, determined to keep alive the Dickensian tradition that revels in colorful set pieces...and teaches moral lessons."--The New York Times
The opening sentence of John Irving's breakout novel, The World According to Garp, signals the start of sexual violence, which becomes increasingly political. "Garp's mother, Jenny Fields, was arrested in Boston in 1942 for wounding a man in a movie theater." Jenny is an unmarried nurse; she becomes a single mom and a feminist leader, beloved but polarizing. Her son, Garp, is less beloved, but no less polarizing.
From the tragicomic tone of its first sentence to its mordantly funny last line--"we are all terminal cases"--The World According to Garp maintains a breakneck pace. The subject of sexual hatred--of intolerance of sexual minorities and differences--runs the gamut of "lunacy and sorrow." Winner of the National Book Award, Garp is a comedy with forebodings of doom. In more than thirty languages, in more than forty countries--with more than ten million copies in print--Garp is the precursor of John Irving's later protest novels.
"He is more than popular. He is a Populist, determined to keep alive the Dickensian tradition that revels in colorful set pieces...and teaches moral lessons."--The New York Times
The opening sentence of John Irving's breakout novel, The World According to Garp, signals the start of sexual violence, which becomes increasingly political. "Garp's mother, Jenny Fields, was arrested in Boston in 1942 for wounding a man in a movie theater." Jenny is an unmarried nurse; she becomes a single mom and a feminist leader, beloved but polarizing. Her son, Garp, is less beloved, but no less polarizing.
From the tragicomic tone of its first sentence to its mordantly funny last line--"we are all terminal cases"--The World According to Garp maintains a breakneck pace. The subject of sexual hatred--of intolerance of sexual minorities and differences--runs the gamut of "lunacy and sorrow." Winner of the National Book Award, Garp is a comedy with forebodings of doom. In more than thirty languages, in more than forty countries--with more than ten million copies in print--Garp is the precursor of John Irving's later protest novels.
recommended by 5 people
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Peter Hook
“John Irving’s plots have a great depth with many strands and it’s interesting how he can lead you down one avenue and then deliver a completely different ending to what you might have been expecting. Then he pulls it all together at the end, absolutely superbly. I find with some books they lead you down a path but then fail to pull it together satisfactorily at the end which usually lets a lot of books down. John Irving is really a master of the craft. I’ve never read a bad one yet. The World According to Garp was the first John Irving book I ever read. It’s a wonderful look at family and friendships with some truly shocking events throughout the book that literally take your breath away. I’ve gone onto read all of his books after that and they all demonstrate a wonderful insight into life. Garp is a mind-blowing read, it really is.”↗
Jeanette Winterson
“As funny as it was when it was written, and more tragic, and more true. One of my favorite laugh/cry novels, and one I talk about with friends and teach to my students.”↗
Michael Ian Black
“@blainecapatch @BrianLynch I loved the movie - book is one of my favorites, too.”↗
