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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Garp's interior novel is one of the compelling piece of writing I had read in years.
Not my kind of humour. I won't laugh if you tell me so-and-so died by choking on an olive, or a guy had an affair with a woman with a lisp. As an author you need to describe the scene to me, and make it funny. It's not comic in and of itself. One of the last deaths in the book is described as "random, stupid, and unnecessary; comic and ugly and bizarre". Erase "comic", and this is exactly how I would describe the entire book. And the "bizarre" is more contrived than shocking. 2/3 into the story I just wanted it to end, and the ending was total overkill (excuse the pun).
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Irving’s characters struggle so much but they learn and reflect and change. This reflection shows their humanity. I believe it also shows us the heart of John Irving and what he holds as important in this messy world.
In the 20 year anniversary edition of Garp, Irving wrote about how he gad changed and his career and changed since the publication of Garp. In the 40 year anniversary foreword, Irving reflected that this novel that he thought was a period piece exploring a closed- minded time was now an enduring record of how long people have struggled for sexual privacy and autonomy and that the fight has become even more prudent with the election of Trump and the rolling back of personal rights.
In the 20 year anniversary edition of Garp, Irving wrote about how he gad changed and his career and changed since the publication of Garp. In the 40 year anniversary foreword, Irving reflected that this novel that he thought was a period piece exploring a closed- minded time was now an enduring record of how long people have struggled for sexual privacy and autonomy and that the fight has become even more prudent with the election of Trump and the rolling back of personal rights.
This might have been the first 'adult' book I read. Unfortunately, it's the only one by John Irving that I've ever finished.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Just "read" this book again, as in listened to it on audiobook, and was reminded why I love John Irving. He truly is a crafty writer, and I love all of his zany characters so, so much.
Garp is a writer, born to a feminist, and raised at a boarding school. While he grows as a man and a writer, he meets many crazy people and many lovely people along the way. His mother, Jenny Fields, and his wife, Helen, are two incredible women in his life that help shape him.
Quite a tale, and quite a menagerie of lovable characters.
Garp is a writer, born to a feminist, and raised at a boarding school. While he grows as a man and a writer, he meets many crazy people and many lovely people along the way. His mother, Jenny Fields, and his wife, Helen, are two incredible women in his life that help shape him.
Quite a tale, and quite a menagerie of lovable characters.
This was a book club book, was quite interested to read it. Didn’t love it but didn’t hate it either. There were parts that just dragged on and then other bits where I wanted to find out what was happening next. It seemed to be like hundreds of small stories all put together, and a bit odd at times. Was a bit Forest Gumpish. I must admit I was never desperate to pick the book up though.
John Irving’s The World According to Garp is a rich tapestry of life, love, and the absurdities that shape us, and it holds a special place in my heart. One of the most striking aspects of the novel is its exploration of storytelling itself, particularly through Garp’s journey as a writer. The short story within the novel, The Pension Grillparzer, had a profound impact on me. Its mix of surreal humor, poignant emotion, and vivid characters was unlike anything I had encountered before.
Reading The Pension Grillparzer felt like a door opening to a new world of creative possibilities. It wasn’t just a story within a story; it was a masterclass in blending whimsy with depth. Inspired by Irving’s ability to create something so unique yet universally resonant, I wrote my very first short story. It was my attempt to capture that same balance of the fantastical and the deeply human—a theme that continues to influence my writing today.
Irving’s novel is more than a compelling narrative; it’s a celebration of the messy, beautiful act of creating art. As Garp grapples with his own fears, desires, and ambitions, Irving reminds us that stories have the power to transform both writer and reader. For me, The World According to Garp isn’t just a book I love—it’s the spark that ignited my own journey as a writer.
Reading The Pension Grillparzer felt like a door opening to a new world of creative possibilities. It wasn’t just a story within a story; it was a masterclass in blending whimsy with depth. Inspired by Irving’s ability to create something so unique yet universally resonant, I wrote my very first short story. It was my attempt to capture that same balance of the fantastical and the deeply human—a theme that continues to influence my writing today.
Irving’s novel is more than a compelling narrative; it’s a celebration of the messy, beautiful act of creating art. As Garp grapples with his own fears, desires, and ambitions, Irving reminds us that stories have the power to transform both writer and reader. For me, The World According to Garp isn’t just a book I love—it’s the spark that ignited my own journey as a writer.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A memorable novel. The improbable characters are well drawn, the creativity in the book is a marvel , including this idea of a "mise en abîme" with the book(s) inside the book.
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes