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
Prime Movers of Globalization
Fall; or, Dodge in Hell
The Idealist
#AskGaryVee
Zucked
White Working Class
The Devil’s Financial Dictionary
The Diamond Age
The Design of Everyday Things
Superhuman
The Three Marriages
Maps of Meaning
The Artist's Way
Walk in Their Shoes
Francis Crick
All I Want to Know is Where I'm Going To Die So I'll Never Go There
Devil's Harbor
A Walk in the Woods
Not The End of the World
Hyperion
An Inconvenient Truth
The Blank Swan
How To Win at the Sport of Business
The Adventures of Henry Thoreau
A History of Knowledge
A Higher Loyalty
Free Women, Free Men
The Art of People
Plentiful Energy
The Halo Effect...
The Black Dahlia
Bad News
The Plot Against the President
Lolita
Striking Thoughts
Titan
For The Love Of Physics
The Death of the Artist
Leadership
Genome
The 48 Laws of Power
Trailblazer
A History of the English-Speaking Peoples
The Hustler
The Emotion Code
Hacks
Between The World And Me
Small Is the New Big
Be the Person You Want to Find
The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo
Digital Gold
The Fabric of Civilization
Devil Take the Hindmost
Prelude to Foundation
Now, Discover Your Strengths
Flying Start
Double your Profits
The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life
An Elegant Defense
Switch
Why We Sleep
Play It Away
The Starfish and the Spider
Exit Interview
Radical Son
Powers of Two
The American Challenge
When Breath Becomes Air
Money Changes Everything
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
What Do People Do All Day?
Thinking Physics
Flow
Superintelligence
The Wizard of Menlo Park
Against The World
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt
True Believer
Born Red
The Piano Tuner
Men, Machines, and Modern Times
A Whole New Mind
At Play in the Fields of the Lord
Evolving Ourselves
The True Believer
Starlink
Sustainable Materials With Both Eyes Open
With the Old Breed
The Tycoons
Electrify
Platform Revolution
From Galileo to Newton
Modernity Without Restraint
Dominion
Sex at Dawn
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
When I Say No, I Feel Guilty
I Seem To Be A Verb
Ham on Rye
Elvis Cole Series