The World According to Garp

by John Irving
The World According to Garp cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 5507
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9780552776783
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2010-01-01
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

The World According to Garp is a novel by John Irving that follows the life of T.S. Garp, a young man with a unique perspective on life. Born to an unconventional mother, a feminist and writer, Garp grows up in a world filled with eccentric characters, wrestling with themes of identity, family, and societal expectations. His journey takes him through a career as a writer, marriage, and fatherhood, all while grappling with the complexities of modern life. The novel is a blend of humor and poignancy, exploring themes of love, loss, and the challenges of navigating a world filled with contradictions. Through Garp's story, Irving examines the human condition, offering a rich tapestry of characters and experiences that resonate deeply with readers.

Reviews
The Paris Review · Ilana Masad · 2019-08-23
complex 4.00

The book explores the struggle of becoming an artist and the ambivalence many artists feel. It is a complex work with multiple plotlines.

Ilana Masad delves into the various plotlines of the book, particularly focusing on the struggle of becoming an artist and the ambivalence that many artists feel. They appreciate the complexity of the work and the multiple layers it offers. Masad's review suggests that the book is a rich tapestry of experiences and emotions, making it a significant piece of literature. They highlight the book's ability to explore deep themes while maintaining a engaging narrative.

Quick quotes

    The World According to Garp has many plotlines, including the struggle of becoming an artist.

    It's a complex work that explores the ambivalence many artists feel.

    The book is a rich tapestry of experiences and emotions.

The Reader's Room · 2016-02-01
captivating 4.50

The book is captivating and hard to put down. It succeeds extraordinarily in its most basic test of engaging the reader.

The reviewer found the book to be incredibly engaging and hard to put down. They highlight that the book succeeds extraordinarily in its most basic test of captivating the reader. The story is described as compelling and worth reading, suggesting that it has a lasting impact. The reviewer's enthusiasm indicates a high level of satisfaction with the book, praising its ability to keep the reader hooked from start to finish.

Quick quotes

    And in that, the most basic of tests, this book succeeds extraordinarily.

    Read it because you won't be able to put it down.

    It's a book that stays with you long after you've finished reading.

Kara Reviews · Kara Babcock · 2013-04-07
mixed 3.50

The novel is praised for its deep and moving look at how rape affects a woman's life, but it is also criticized as paternalistic.

Kara Babcock notes that the novel has received mixed reviews, with some critics praising it for its deep and moving exploration of how rape affects a woman's life. However, others have criticized it as paternalistic. Babcock's review suggests that the book is a significant work that tackles important and sensitive issues, but it also has its controversies. They highlight the book's ability to evoke strong emotions and spark important discussions, making it a notable piece of literature.

Quick quotes

    Some critics praise the novel as a deep and moving look at how rape affects a woman's life.

    Others condemn it as paternalistic and problematic.

    The book is a significant work that tackles important and sensitive issues.

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