The World According to Garp

A Novel

By: John Irving, John Irving - introduction

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews, John Irving

A special 40th anniversary edition of the bestselling coming-of-age classic novel by John Irving, 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.

Critic reviews

“The most powerful and profound novel about women written by a man in our generation . . . Like all extraordinary books, Garp defies synopsis. . . . A marvelous, important, permanent novel by a serious artist of remarkable powers.”—Chicago Sun-Times

“Nothing in contemporary fiction matches it. . . . Irving’s blend of gravity and play is unique, audacious, almost blasphemous. . . . Brilliant, funny, and consistently wise; a work of vast talent.”—The New Republic

“A wonderful novel, full of energy and art, at once funny and horrifying and heartbreaking.”—Washington Post

Wonderful story, outstanding writer

Can’t go wrong with Irving, and Andrews delivers with a warm tone akin to Matthew McConaughey. A beautiful read about very “real” people. it’s a story about love and loss, feminism and violence. Every word: perfect.

Entertaining

I didn't find this book as good as I'd been told not would be, the author seems keen on making the point that not even the most charming of characters can escape death. Very realistic, of course.

Even better my 2nd time reading it, way better

I read this years ago and, of course, saw the movie. The story is as strong as it was 40 years ago, if not stronger. The story-line, characters, and plot have not lost any relevancy. If anything, the story has gotten stronger, way stronger. I really hope it gets re-movie-ified but I cannot imagine who might play Jenny or Garp (or Helen or Roberta, for that matter) or who might direct it. It's a very big ask in today's hollywood. I recently read "The Last Chairlift" and loved that, which caused me to come back to Garp. Mr. Irving, please keep writing.

Promoted to become one of my favorite books!

I loved this book too much. It kept me on my toes all the time.

STILL great.

I've read this book 3 times, and listened to it once. John Irving is the only author I RE-read. Now I have a new narrator to seek out. MacLeod Andrews reads one of my favorite Irvings exactly as it should be read.