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
Failure Is Not An Option
On Writing Well
Essays and Aphorisms
Lone Survivor
Free Women, Free Men
The Evolving Self
Not The End of the World
Eating The Big Fish
The Elephant in the Brain
Energy Transitions
Mohandas K. Ghandi
Zen Mind, Beginners Mind
The Idea Factory
XKCD
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Explaining Social Behavior
The Precariat
Lagom
Getting Real
Peak
The Most Important Thing Illuminated
The Plant Paradox
Tender Is The Night
Orwell's Revenge
Harry Potter
Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance?
Sexual Personae
A Spy Among Friends
Valuation
Gang Leader for a Day
A Technique for Producing Ideas
The Magic Of Reality
Brave New Medicine
The Airbnb Story
Golden Gates
Not Zero
My Family and Other Animals
Sleep in Art
The Holy Grail of Investing
Perilous Interventions
The Messy Middle
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
The Lean Startup
Cosmos
The Charisma Myth
Becoming
The Gray Lady Winked
Class Warfare
The Battle of Alcazar
The Artist's Way
The Storm of Steel
Peter Pan
Generations
The Golden Compass
Kill It With Fire
The Martian
The Diversity Myth
Musashi
Warren Buffett
Adapt
How Not To Be Wrong
Platform Revolution
There Must Be A Pony In Here Somewhere
What You Do Is Who You Are
Powers of Two
Deep Value
Presidents of War
Three Scientists and Their Gods
Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar
Catch-22
Becoming Steve Jobs
Replay
Making The Modern World
The Story of Civilization: Rousseau and Revolution
The Wager
Slow Sex
Lying
Timelines of World History
Essays In Persuasion
Home Work
Believe In People
A Short History of Myth
Should We Eat Meat?
Learned Optimism
The Paris Architect
Way of the Warrior Kid
The Making of an American Thinking Class
The Time Machine
Lenin
The Rise of the Rest
Americana
Maybe You Should Talk To Someone
Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air
Idea Makers
When Prophecy Fails
The Ethics of Money Production
Why America Is Not a New Rome
A Sense of Where You Are
The Sixth Extinction
The Middleman