The World According to Garp

A Novel

John Irving

Genre

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Book Synopsis

"The World According to Garp" by John Irving is a powerful novel that explores the complex and unpredictable nature of human existence. Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous 20th century, the story revolves around T.S. Garp, an aspiring writer born to an unconventional feminist mother and a philandering pilot father.

Garp's life is marked by a series of tragic events, including the loss of his father, a devastating accident that forever alters his perspective, and a turbulent relationship with his complex and enigmatic wife, Helen. As Garp strives to make a name for himself in the literary world, he grapples with themes of identity, sexuality, and the absurdity of life.

At the center of the narrative is the absurd publication of Garp's novel, which thrusts him into the spotlight, but also exposes him to the dangers and eccentricities of fame. Irving skillfully weaves together a multitude of vivid and eccentric characters, each with their own desires, motivations, and conflicts.

As the story progresses, Garp's journey becomes increasingly intertwined with the world around him, with unexpected and often tragic consequences. Through his profound observations and unique perspectives on life, Garp explores the complexities of love, loss, and the quest for meaning in an unpredictable and ever-changing world.

"The World According to Garp" is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel that delves into the highs and lows of the human experience. With its blend of dark humor, captivating storytelling, and a razor-sharp critique of societal norms, Irving creates a compelling and unforgettable narrative that leaves readers contemplating the complex nature of existence long after they turn the last page.

Explore More Books

See All
Montaigne's Essays
Mission
The World is Flat
The Origins of Virtue
The Politics Industry
Charged
Big World, Small Planet
Parents Who Lead
The Celestine Prophecy
How An Economy Grows and Why It Crashes
The Canceling of the American Mind
Healthy Buildings
The Richest Man in Babylon
Letters from a Stoic
Creating Shareholder Value
Mortal Republic
The Evolution of Beauty
That's What She Said
The Holy Grail of Investing
The Spectator
A Technique for Producing Ideas
1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die
This Brave New World
Talking to Strangers
Execution
The Narrow Corridor
On Grief and Grieving
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Voltaire
Hard Drive
Clear Thinking
Merchants of Truth
Graphs, Maps, Trees
DMT: The Spirit Molecule
Great Expectations
Rock On
Twelve Against The Gods
Concentrated Investing
Thus Spoke the Plant
The Doors of Perception
Maisy Mouse Collection
Diffusion of Innovations
Certain To Win
The Oz Principle
The Romance of American Communism
The Medici Effect
Calm Your Mind with Food
The Model Thinker
The Rise And Fall Of American Growth
If At Birth You Don't Succeed
I Seem To Be A Verb
Order Without Design
The Nature of the Beast
Cashing in on the American Dream
Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage
A Short Guide to a Happy Life
The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Devil's Bargain
The Essential Writings
I Contain Multitudes
Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention
The Picture of Dorian Gray
How To Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck
Imaginable
The Clash of Civilization and the Remaking of World Order
Too Big to Fail
The Tyranny of Experts
All Marketers are Liars
The Painted Bird
Crash Proof 2.0
American Kingpin
The Big Short
The Halo Effect...
Nixonland
A Curious Mind
The Aspirational Investor
High Output Management
The Fortunes of Africa
Cuckoo
Personal Knowledge
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
The Robotics Primer
Prepared
The Deficit Myth
Play Bigger
Excession
The Curse of the Mogul
Markings
The Fourth Turning
The Amber Spyglass
Impro
Levels of the Game
The Founders
Dynasty
Courage
Essays and Aphorisms
The Sixth Extinction
Nixon Agonistes
The Innovators
Masters of Doom