
'The World According to Garp' by John Irving is a novel that follows the life of T.S. Garp, exploring his journey through happy moments followed by tragedies, making readers both sympathize and despise the character. The book delves into complex themes such as feminism, single parenting, marital affairs, and societal issues, all while showcasing Irving's unique storytelling style that blends humor, compassion, and eccentricity.
Irving's narrative weaves a rich tapestry of quirky characters, extreme situations, and bizarre incidents that range from laugh-out-loud funny to incredibly sad. The protagonist, T.S. Garp, is a writer whose life mirrors the wacky stories he creates. The novel is a mix of humor, tragedy, and classic storytelling, offering readers a glimpse into a world that is both eccentric and deeply human.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include rape, violence, sexual content, infidelity, and themes of loss and mental health.
Has Romance?
The book contains significant romantic elements, exploring various relationships and their complexities.
From The Publisher:
"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.
Ratings (47)
Incredible (11) | |
Loved It (18) | |
Liked It (7) | |
It Was OK (9) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (71):
Read It (49) | |
Want To Read (18) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (3) |
1 comment(s)
Oh John Irving, you love incest. And feminists.
About the Author:
JOHN IRVING, born in Exeter, New Hampshire, published his first novel, Setting Free the Bears, when he was twenty-six. His most popular novel, worldwide, is A Prayer for Owen Meany, published in 1989. In 2000, Mr. Irving won the Oscar…
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