It already happened to me with “A Prayer for Owen Meany”. The feeling when reading, that John Irving is the perfect narrator. He meticulously dissects his characters; tells many stories in the same book; and they are original and imaginative. He combines drama and humor perfectly dosed; and places you fully in a rich historical, political and social context. And he deals with many themes: in this case, the fear of the suffering of loved ones, death, literary creation, lust, and the emergence of the feminist movement. In addition, he allows himself the luxury of introducing other independent stories, although related to the plot, within the narration. Once again, I was left with a very good taste in my mouth, that of having read again a novel by an exceptional narrator.

Zabavno, it's truly an interesting and unexpected experience. Neočekivano, things happened in a way that I didn't anticipate. Šokantno, it was quite shocking. For my taste, možda malo previše smrti, perhaps there was a bit too much emphasis on death. However, ali sve je to život, all of this is life. And according to Garp, sigurno da je vrijedan življenja, he is surely convinced that it is worth living.

Life is full of various emotions and events, some of which may be pleasant and some not so much. But it is these experiences that make up the tapestry of our lives. We should embrace both the joys and the sorrows, for they all contribute to our growth and understanding.

Whether it's the unexpected twists and turns or the moments that make our hearts skip a beat, we should look at them as opportunities to learn and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of life. Just like Garp, we should believe that every moment of our lives is precious and worth living to the fullest.

Premetto che in questa recensione sarò di parte. Sto parlando di uno dei miei scrittori preferiti. È lo scrittore che ha scritto uno dei libri che io abbia più riletto in assoluto. Un libro che ha stravolto totalmente il mio modo di vedere.

Ma adesso passiamo ad "Il mondo secondo Garp".

"Il mondo secondo Garp" è il terzo Irving che leggo, dopo "Le regole della casa del Sidro" (mio grande amore) e "Hotel New Hampshire". E sapevo già più o meno cosa aspettarmi. C'è una prosa meravigliosa, scorrevole, eppure accurata. C'è chi paragona Irving a Dickens, e io sono totalmente d'accordo. Dickens ha molto in comune con Irving. Senza altro, il potere di raccontare vicende al apparenza irreali che diventano grandi storie, più reali della vita stessa. E penso che la grande narrativa debba essere così. Dickens come Irving è fissato con i "tipi umani" che poi alla fine non si rivelano poi così eccentrici, ma solo portati a vivere diversamente, a vivere secondo le "proprie" idee e non secondo quelle degli altri. Ma sopratutto hanno il potere di farti affezionare ai propri personaggi per le loro debolezze più che per i loro punti forti.

E sono proprio queste cose che accadono nel mondo secondo Garp. "Nel mondo secondo Garp siamo tutti casi disperati". Jenny Fields, suo figlio Garp, Helen, Roberta, Ellen James, Duncan, Walt e Jenny sono tutti casi disperati ognuno a suo modo, ognuno con le sue mutilazioni, ognuno con le sue diversità. E Irving ce li incastra insieme come sempre con incredibile perfezione.

Come dicevo prima, sapevo già cosa aspettarmi. Nel senso che ci sono molte delle ambientazioni care ad Irving, la Vienna di metà secolo scorso e il New Hampshire. C'è la guerra che come sempre riveste un ruolo importante (Garp sarà figlio di quella guerra). Ma c'è anche la sapiente maestria di Irving di tenerti totalmente avvinto alla pagina con la mirabolante avventura, che poi è la vita stessa, dei suoi personaggi. Pagina dopo pagina questa vita ti diventa sempre più familiare e per certi versi somiglia anche alla tua. È impossibile non riconoscersi almeno in uno degli spaccati famigliari che Irving ci presenta. (Fra l'altro Irving sembra avere una predilezione per i labrador neri, c'è da chiedersi se ne abbia uno. Qui c'è Bill, in "Hotel New Hampshire" c'era Sorrow <3, oke notizia irrilevante, solo una semplice pensiero).

Come sempre in ogni romanzo di Irving c'è una tematica cardine. Ce ne sono sempre, più di una in realtà. Ma qui più che altro c'è il femminismo, o meglio l'indipendenza sessuale. Bisognerebbe leggere questo libro non fosse altro che per Jenny Fields. È un personaggio unico, non ne incontrerete mai uno così. E proprio per questo sembra tanto reale che aspetti di vedertela comparire davanti per darti incoraggianti consiglia a proposito della vita. E per me sarebbe l'ideale, perché voglio una Jenny Fields personalizzata. Anzi, dove posso trovarla? Ma come sempre Irving fa, non mette mai in evidenza qualcosa senza evidenziarne anche la parte oscura. E qui di certo non si smentisce nello svelare poi le estreme conseguenze del fenomeno trattato.

Oltre ai personaggi principali c'è tutto un corollario di personaggi secondari che a mio parere sono irresistibili quanto quelli principali. Come non ridere per il salvataggio del piccione del Dean Bodger, o non considerare con una certa quel sorta di ironia dolce/amara la signora Ralph. Ogni cosa ha il suo posto in questo romanzo, ogni personaggio è stato messo li apposta per dimostrarvi qualcosa, strappandovi un sorriso o una lacrima.

Maledetto Irving!! Hai creato un altro capolavoro dal quale è difficile staccarsi. Mi mancherà Garp, e mi mancherà il suo mondo, mi mancheranno Roberta, Helen, Janny, Ellen James (Questa in maniera particolare, sebbene compaia poco, è capace di farti tanta tenerezza, che non te la dimentichi facilmente) Duncan ecc (mi scusino tutti quelli non nominati, stò pensando a voi uno per uno, sorridendo sotto i baffi, e scrivendo questa recensione). Non dico altro, se volete veramente capire perché Irving e così speciale, ma sopratutto perché i suoi personaggi lo sono, leggetelo perché altrimenti non coglierete appieno ciò che intendo.

P.S. Guardatevi le spalle dal sotto rospo mi raccomando ;)

A very important book about intolerance has emerged. It delves deep into the complex issue of intolerance, exploring its various manifestations and the profound impact it has on individuals and society as a whole. However, it must be noted that some middle-class individuals with rather murky or indistinct aspirations may not fully understand or appreciate the significance of this book. Their limited perspectives and perhaps a certain degree of naivety prevent them from grasping the true essence of the message it conveys. Nevertheless, this is truly a remarkable and outstanding book. It offers valuable insights, thought-provoking discussions, and potential solutions to combat intolerance. It is a must-read for those who are open-minded, willing to engage with difficult topics, and committed to making a positive change in the world.

In "The World According to Garp", John Irving delves deep into human nature and personal relationships through the eyes of T.S. Garp, a writer whose life experiences serve as a mirror of the complexities of modern life.

The novel covers a wide range of themes that were controversial at the time, such as feminism, gender identity, free love, hate, and intransigence, all set within a narrative where black humor, tragedy, and social satire are masterfully intertwined.

The story centers on Garp and his mother, Jenny Fields, a determined woman who chooses to live independently, making her an iconic figure of feminism. Jenny is a fascinating character, and her radical stance on motherhood and sexuality is one of the driving forces behind the plot. Her famous quote, "I wanted to work and live alone. That made me sexually suspect," not only demonstrates her rebellion but also the moral judgment that women face when they challenge established norms. Her decision to have a child without emotional or sexual involvement with a man is a bold critique of the social conventions of her era.

Irving divides the novel into chapters that span the various stages of Garp's life, from his conception - a peculiar and comical episode - to his death, creating a structure that allows the reader to observe the character's growth in a context of constant social and personal change. The narrative style is another of the great successes of the work. Irving skillfully manages a fluid rhythm that moves between the comic and the tragic, allowing the absurd situations and the darkest moments of the novel to intertwine naturally, always maintaining the reader's attention.

One of the most interesting aspects of the novel is its ability to balance everyday life with the extraordinary. Garp lives a relatively normal life, but his circumstances are filled with extreme situations and unexpected twists that lead the reader to reflect on destiny, death, and the unpredictability of human existence. Each character is unique and designed with great psychological complexity, from Helen, Garp's wife, to secondary characters like Roberta Muldoon, a former American football player who becomes a woman, and whose presence introduces the theme of gender identity with a sensitivity ahead of its time.

In addition to addressing feminism and gender relations, "The World According to Garp" also deals with themes such as fatherhood, violence (especially sexual violence and hatred towards women), the fear of pain, and the role of the artist in society. Garp is a writer whose work reflects his personal life, and Irving's novel is also a meditation on what it means to be a creator in a world that often does not understand or appreciate art.

I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy stories full of irony and emotional depth, where black humor and satire mix with reflections on family life, death, and survival in a constantly evolving world. "The World According to Garp" is a fundamental work for those seeking complex characters and a narrative that, although sometimes delving into the absurd, never loses sight of the humanity of its protagonists. Irving has managed to create a novel that not only entertains but also challenges conventional notions of identity, family, and morality.

Recently, this very cool GR friend of mine (the type of guy you'd want by your side in a fight - as in ninja-fast-kapow cool!) and I were having a chat. I'd love to share his thoughts with you.

VCF mentioned that another one of his favorite authors, John Irving, has based his entire career on writing about characters who have had experiences highly similar to his own. Almost every one of Irving's books features a relationship between the main character (usually a young man in his late teens or early twenties at the start of the book) and an older woman. Irving has recently talked in interviews about how this is his way of dealing with some personal issues, including a rather shocking relationship with an older woman when he was very young! To add to this, many of his characters have been wrestlers (as he was a wrestler in college), have some peripheral involvement in politics without it being the focus of the novel, and encounter sudden violence when the reader least expects it. He carries a lot of themes with him, and VCF suspects that all of them come from his personal life.

However, for VCF as a reader, this has no impact on how he views the books. Perhaps it took someone with Irving's background to write "A Widow for One Year". Regardless of what went into the making of the book, the end result was, in VCF's opinion, extremely enjoyable.

Well, this really got me thinking. I realized that I had also read Irving's work. But when was that?

It was when I was 15 and completely infatuated with the person who had lent me the book. I was caught in the web that Irving weaves so effortlessly around the reader. It was like being Garp while also being a painfully awkward 15-year-old. I'm sure I didn't understand half of what I was reading, and in fact, I hardly remember anything of the story except for one tragedy involving a nurse.

I had no idea about Irving as a person when I read his book. But the sense of the intense emotional turmoil I experienced while reading still lingers - hence the 4-star rating. Although a 5-star rating would also be appropriate.

VCF has reminded me to take a look at Irving's other books. And in the process, I've discovered a few other people here who are eager to discuss and share my thoughts on exploring Irving's work again. Thanks for the encouragement. I can't wait to get started.

Blah, the reason why this people love this book is truly beyond my comprehension.

Perhaps, in the same vein as I perceive Seth's protagonist in It's a Good Life... to be enduring despite easily being seen as a rather repulsive individual, others can find this self-absorbed character to be equally enduring.

Maybe it's a matter of generational differences.

Maybe Garp should have purchased an AK-47 during the course of this novel and gone ahead to shoot Rabbit and then turned the gun on himself.

However, perhaps simply regarding the book as the World According to Fart is sufficient.

It's all rather perplexing and makes one wonder about the various interpretations and reactions that different people have towards literature.

Do we really understand the true essence and appeal of a book, or are we just grasping at straws trying to make sense of others' love for it?

These are questions that continue to linger in my mind as I ponder over this particular book and the people who seem to have such a strong affinity for it.

Exceptional storytelling is a remarkable art form that weaves together a tapestry of engaging elements.

It often features stories within stories, which add depth and complexity, drawing the reader or listener into a multi-layered narrative.

The characters are like delicate flowers that blossom, grow, and eventually wither, experiencing a full range of emotions and transformations.

Moreover, the locations in these stories are not just backdrops but characters in their own right, influencing the plot and the characters' actions.

These tales explore themes such as kindness, sex, and the broken and mended lives of the characters, painting a vivid and relatable picture of the human experience.

Exceptional storytelling has the power to transport us to different worlds, make us empathize with the characters, and leave a lasting impression on our hearts and minds.

Oh my god, I truly despised this book.

I loathed it to such an extent that if I were ever in a situation where I needed something to burn, this book would be the very first candidate. And it's quite terrible considering it was a gift.

The book lacked any semblance of a plot. It was merely a comprehensive account of Garp's life written down. While his life was indeed unusual, it simply wasn't worthy of being turned into a book. He was a despicable character who leered at babysitters. He was irresponsible and, as a result, got one son killed and the other maimed.

He was just not a likable person at all. Moreover, he was a bad writer who persistently tried to be one, despite the fact that the one book he actually wrote (which is presented in its entirety) was absolute garbage.

There was simply no point or purpose to this book whatsoever. It was a waste of time and纸张.

I first heard about this book in the early eighties. It was a specific time in Poland. I completely ignored it, escaping into music and books.

Catch 22, Birdy, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, World according to Garp. These are some examples from my reading list from that period. And I think one doesn't have to be overly insightful to see the common denominator for these readings.

World according to Garp, the most well-known novel by Irving, narrates about this strange thing called life. We have almost everything here: sex, love, writing, bears on bicycles, maimed people, and all sorts of misfits. Death is always tragic, and lust is mercilessly punished. This is a book that people either love or hate or love to hate. Some say it's too vulgar, obscene, and too literal in some descriptions. Yes, it is, and so what? But it's also touching, making you laugh and cry.

And despite all its grotesqueness, dark humor, and tragicomic accents, what's more, despite the killing of almost all the characters, it is full of life. It's America in a distorting mirror, a melange of caricatural behaviors and strange relationships. No, I didn't dream about America in the geographical sense. For me, America was a state of mind, a mixture of freedom and positive craziness. And all this Garp gave to me.

And this statement that "in the world according to Garp, we are all terminal cases" somehow doesn't worry me at all. I know there is a life after Garp.

In conclusion, the book World according to Garp had a profound impact on me during that time. It presented a unique and complex view of life that I couldn't ignore. Although it had its flaws and controversial aspects, it also had a certain charm and depth that made it a memorable read. It made me think about life, love, and the meaning of it all. And even though the statement about being terminal cases might seem pessimistic, it also made me realize that life is precious and that we should make the most of it.

Overall, I'm glad I discovered this book and that it became a part of my reading journey. It taught me valuable lessons and expanded my perspective on life. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read.

" The World According to Garp" is a novel that does not present a central conflict to guide the narration. Instead, it is a journey through the life of a character. Thus, although his life is full of conflictual events, there is no particular one that triggers the plot of the novel. The story does not start with this character, but rather focuses on his mother, who conceives Garp under rather particular conditions. The beginning is very captivating as it presents a somewhat unusual situation that catches the attention and invites one to continue reading.

I really liked how Irving works with the relationships between the characters and literature. Not only Garp, who is a writer, but also his mother, for example, are traversed by literature. In fact, the novel in parts reproduces chapters of those novels that Garp writes, and many times he dedicates several pages to describing how one of those writings was received by the critics or by the circle of acquaintances of the protagonist.

There are moments with more action, others more descriptive. It has its ups and downs but in general it maintains the rhythm, although towards the end it started to seem a bit repetitive and a bit long to me. Perhaps it has a few too many pages, although it is a quite entertaining and easy-to-read book. It has a good development of characters (it would have been a big problem if a character novel did not have it), who evolve as the story progresses and time passes. I would have loved to like it more, but perhaps it is a matter of how certain readers connect more with the novel, and other readers connect less. In any case, I am eager to take on other works by John Irving.

Another long overdue re-read.

I have to say that I fucking love this book!

It's one of those rare gems that manages to capture my attention from the very first page and keep me hooked until the very end.

The story is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the writing is simply superb.

Every time I pick it up, I feel like I'm being transported to another world, a world full of adventure, mystery, and excitement.

It's a book that I can read over and over again and never get tired of.

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story.

Trust me, you won't be disappointed!