This is truly one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

The cast of characters within its pages is so vivid and well-developed that by the time you reach the end, they all feel like dear members of your own family.

Even attempting to "review" this book is far beyond my qualifications.

I simply read it, and I thoroughly, wholeheartedly enjoyed every single page.

I can unreservedly recommend it to anyone who has a passion for truly good books.

Whether you are a voracious reader or someone who only picks up a book now and then, this one is sure to capture your heart and imagination.

Give it a chance, and you will not be disappointed.

"The World According to Garp" was recommended to me at university by a friend. This was way back in the olden days when there were not even any smart-phones. Can you believe it? It seems like a different era now.

Anyway, one sunny day, I decided to start reading this masterpiece. And by the end of the next sunny day, I had finished it. I was satisfied in the knowledge that I had just completed a book that truly deserves the accolade of masterpiece. I really like this book!

Irving's work is nothing short of genius. It is one of my three favourite books ever. The other two are "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller. I have a penchant for the unconventional when it comes to fiction, and "TWATG" is certainly that.

This work is a unique blend of funny and sad, optimistic and fatalistic. It takes you on a magic carpet ride with a cast of some of the most outrageous, lovable and grotesque characters you'll ever encounter in a book. From Garp's stubbornly focused mother, Jenny, to lusty Garp himself, and the show-stealing transgender Roberta Muldoon, these folks leave you breathless as they careen through their roller-coaster lives.

Gender roles, such a hot and controversial topic today, was foreshadowed as a big social issue by Irving all those years ago. Sexuality as a theme is also pervasive, which is bound to be interesting to readers. And of course, everybody's favourite topic, death, gets plenty of airtime. There are some very unusual sticky ends that score high marks for originality and perverseness.

So, do yourself a huge, huge favour and get a hold of this book. If you haven't seen the movie with Robin Williams in the starring role and John Lithgow giving a superb performance as Roberta Muldoon, watch it. It's also a beauty!

Though my life has felt rather full, time-wise, I did want to come back and say a little bit about how much I dug my first John Irving novel.

Dickensian is an oft-quoted descriptor, and it truly fits The World According to Garp to a tee. Besides the eponymous lead, there is a sprawling cast that spans across the social, sexual, and political spectrum. At the onset of the novel, there are a bevy of absurd situations that had me raising my eyebrow. However, by the novel's end, I found myself cherishing them.

The novel follows T.S. Garp from cradle to grave, and I was astonished by how effortlessly Irving switches between characters, plots, and subplots to deliver a fully realized vision of Garp's world. Whether it's the social commentary on extremism, the vilification of the intolerant, or a look at men's insecurities, Irving does a commendable job of switching up the subject while still orbiting around the same themes. Indeed, though the novel takes many different directions, it all feels thematically interconnected.

While the novel is thematically rich, I think it might be the writing and tone that struck me as most effective. I've rarely read a novel that so seamlessly transitions from absurdist comedy to family tragedy without feeling like two different novels. Personally, by the time Garp leaves school for Vienna, I had complete trust in whatever direction Irving wanted to lead me. The portions of the book that act as stories-within-stories are exceptionally readable and help the main narrative pivot in its next direction. Fortunately, the book is a pleasure to read: not overly verbose, but rich in descriptive passages.

Overall, it's a really enjoyable and sumptuous novel. I thought Irving's commentary on sexual orientation, gender dysphoria, and gender discrimination was surprisingly woke for the time it was written. I'm sure a lot of the book wouldn't be received as well in today's climate, but I found it to be humanistic and thoughtful. This is the type of book that I would have loved to study in university, although I think it's more appropriate and relevant for a more mature adult. It's also the type of book on which one could write endlessly, but I have a lot more Irving to explore based on this book, so I'll end it here.

Finally, a big thanks to my wife for selecting this one for my birthday: she always seems to pick winners! [4.5 Stars]

The Reader First of All

I don't know if it happens to you too, but sometimes I involuntarily read a sequence of books that are connected by something, a theme, a situation, an object that recurs in all the stories without my being able to know it in advance. For example, lately, I have read several books, and in close succession, where a decidedly significant role is played by a dog. In "The Door" by Szabò, there is the dog Viola. In Fante's book, "West of Rome" there is the dog Stupid. In Kundera's masterpiece there is the dog Karenin, and so on.

This is to say that in "The World According to Garp"… the dog is not there. Ahahaha, you fell for it, eh?
Okay, okay, I'm serious. Let's start again: this is to say that regarding recurring themes, the reading exactly before this one was "Sardinia Blues" by Soriga. If there is one thing I didn't say about the book in the relevant review, it is that around the middle of the novel, there is a little pearl regarding the reader's sensitivity and expectations when immersing oneself in any story. I'll report it for your convenience:

"I haven't read many novels, [...] but those I have read, it seems to me that their form is unbearable, this fact that they pretend to tell you the story of a person, of a group of people, but in reality they don't, there is a plot, a beginning and an end, and in the middle some characters appear, some good and some bad, and you get attached and you would like to know about them, how they were as children and what their parents were like, and what they think about love and life, what will happen to them when they decide to get married, all the things that it is normal to want to know about the people who interest you, and instead the writers only give you a few pieces of information, those that are needed to move the story forward, in short, I get attached, then it's not that I'm only interested in knowing if the betrayed one will take revenge or to whom the inheritance will be assigned or who the murderer is or if the policeman will be killed in a shootout, I would like to know everything about those characters, more and more, and instead then you come to a point and there is the word end, and this seems to me such an arrogant thing, and so sad, to lose those people forever, in short, you have spent a couple of hours or days with them and then you will never meet them again, it's not that you can hope that they will call you on the phone some years later and tell you how they are, nothing, lost forever, then maybe the writers should think well before starting to write, like this, I mean, have a lot of information set aside about the characters, really tell everything, even after the plot ends, otherwise it seems to me that the readers, at least I am like this, then they feel bad."

Well, when I read this, I thought that what Soriga says is very true, it's true that a book should be like those movies that are based on a true story, that after the word End you continue to look at the screen because the credits come up that tell you what will happen to the protagonists in the future. I don't know: "Paolina will be found dead ten years later, killed by the stray bullet of a hunter who was illegally shooting at the raccoons; Carletto will obtain a degree in Dietrology of Regrets, and lives happily with his family, behind the municipal landfill of the town." And similar things.

So, when I finished Soriga's book, I didn't know that immediately after I would read a novel that makes a style out of the detail. Irving, whom I already loved before reading Garp's adventures, is not only a fine carver of moments (instantaneous descriptions so good that they remain imprinted in your mind in an indelible way), but he is one whom the reader knows well. At least as much as the Sardinian writer, with the difference that Soriga, like many others, limits himself to understanding the reader's needs but doesn't really go to meet them!
Or perhaps, Irving is perfectly aware that one falls in love with his characters, and so probably, he takes it as a responsibility not to leave anything to chance, and to tell you, explain to you, and tell you everything, but really everything that will happen to the protagonists, to the plants, to the houses, to the sensations. Whatever the reason why he does it, it is undeniable that he does it really well. Garp's introspection, his fears, his flaws, his virtues, make him a real man, perhaps excessive in some things, but precisely for this, much more human than our neighbor. And while I would have liked to know and be close to Owen of "A Prayer for Owen Meany", for Garp it's different. Garp is the man I would like to be if I were a man. Too bad it's impossible, I'm sure you would compete to get to know me.

But while waiting (you never know) for the miracle to happen, read Irving. It's the perfect formula for a safe investment. Good reading never goes into crisis.

Looking back,

I realize what a great book this is.

It has left such a profound impression on me that I simply have to re-read it.

The story within its pages is captivating, filled with vivid characters and a plot that keeps me on the edge of my seat.

Every time I think about it, I am drawn back to its world.

Re-reading this book will allow me to discover new details and nuances that I might have missed the first time around.

It will be like embarking on a new adventure, even though I already know the general storyline.

I can't wait to immerse myself in its words once again and experience the magic all over again.

This book truly is a gem that deserves to be revisited and cherished.

What can I say about Garp that John Irving hasn't already said about Garp?

'Most books you know nothin's gonna happen,' Jillsy said. 'Lawd, you know that. Other books,' she said, 'you know just what's gonna happen, so you don't have to read them, either. But this book,' Jillsy said, 'this book's so sick you know somethin's gonna happen, but you can't imagine what. You got to be sick yourself to imagine what happens in this book,' Jillsy said.

Well said, Jillsy.

Wolf was being careful; he had already let it slip that he thought The World According to Bensenhaver was an 'X-rated soap opera.' Garp hadn't seemed bothered. 'Mind you, it's awfully well written,' Wolf had said, 'but it's still, somehow, soap opera; it's too much somehow.' Garp had sighed. 'Life,' Garp had said, ' is too much somehow. Life is an X-rated soap opera, John,' Garp had said.

Well said, Garp.

Lawd knows my life has been an X-rated soap opera of sorts at points, though thankfully not as eventful as neither The World According to Bensenhaver nor The World According to Garp.

So what can I say? It's a complete account of a man's life starting from before his birth to after his death. We accompany Garp as he accomplishes his greatest (and lesser) achievements and battles his demons. He is rude to people, kind to people, mean to people, and at times utterly charming. He writes an amazing first short story, The Pension Grillparzer for which John Irving should certainly get recognition because it is a lovely short story, even if it's not his first. And the characters behave rather strangely at times, their reactions to events are disproportional, even absurd, but I like that too. Aren't people in all X-rated soap operas - life included - sometimes strange, absurd, comical?

Bonkie bit Garp! Garp bit Bonkie!

But I digress. I'll leave you with another quote from Jillsy the cleaning lady, also known as John Irving inserting himself in his own novel. (Come to think of it, John Irving is all over this novel. Luckily, he's a pretty interesting character himself.)

'A book feels true when it feels true,' she said to him, impatiently. 'A book's true when you can say, \\"Yeah! That's just how damn people behave all the time.\\" Then you know it's true.'

The story of Garp is a complex and engaging one. It takes us on a journey through his life, filled with laughter, tears, and everything in between. The characters are vivid and memorable, each with their own quirks and flaws. The writing is excellent, with Irving's unique style shining through. The World According to Garp is not just a novel, but a reflection on life itself. It makes us think about the choices we make, the people we love, and the things that truly matter. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

I'm not sure John Irving is the author for me.

His works are often lauded for their complexity and depth, but sometimes I find myself struggling to connect with his stories.

The characters he creates can be larger than life, with their own unique quirks and flaws. However, I don't always feel a personal connection to them.

Perhaps it's because his writing style is so distinct, filled with long sentences and detailed descriptions. While this can add to the richness of the narrative, it can also make it a bit of a challenge to read.

Despite my reservations, I'm willing to give John Irving another chance. Maybe there's a particular book of his that will speak to me on a deeper level.

After all, every reader has their own preferences when it comes to authors and genres. It's possible that I just haven't found the right Irving novel for me yet.

It was not an easy book for me.

I read about 30 pages in one sitting, and I used to wonder what the hell I was reading here.

The language was complex, the ideas were abstract, and I often felt lost and confused.

But despite all of this, I found the desire to return again and again.

There was something about the book that kept pulling me back, something that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

Maybe it was the author's unique perspective, or maybe it was the way the story was told.

Whatever it was, I knew that I couldn't give up on this book.

I was determined to keep reading, to keep trying to understand, until I finally cracked the code and uncovered the hidden treasures within.

And so, I continued to read, one page at a time, slowly but surely making my way through this difficult but rewarding book.

This book is truly one of my all-time favorites.

Due to my profound affection for it, I refrain from elaborating too much. Suffice it to say, it is perpetually worthy of being read, even if one has perused it previously.

In this book, there is a remarkable scene. It is disclosed that a prominent publisher entrusts all his manuscripts to his cleaning lady, and she is the one who determines whether they are worthy of publication. When he inquires why she read a particularly disturbing novel, her response is, "To find out what happens next." Subsequently, she adds, "A book is true when you can say 'yeah! That's how damn people behave all the time.'"

This incident reveals a great deal about John Irving. I have a particular fondness for John Irving. Partly, it is because I am constantly intrigued by what will transpire next. And partly, it is because, notwithstanding the outrageousness of his characters, they conduct themselves in a manner consistent with real people.

Of course, I would not desire to be a character in a John Irving novel. This is because terrible events are constantly befalling them. They are orphaned, abandoned, stranded, confused, or unhappily pregnant. They are the victims of rape, car accidents, and infidelity. They are a mess (and Garp might endure the worst circumstances of all), but that is precisely why I like them. Some authors shy away from depicting gruesome, messy, or explicit scenes, but John Irving never does (and neither does life). Some authors employ disasters, deaths, or drama to conclude their novels, but John Irving comprehends that these events do not truly provide closure; they do not truly bring an end to anything. They merely compel you to rise and continue, whether wounded or not.

I could expound further on John Irving and the reasons for my admiration for him. However, as was stated on Reading Rainbow, "Don't take my word for it..."

Irvingo knygas labiausiai pamenu dėka močiutės. prieš gerą dešimtį, o gal ir daugiau metų, ji be atvangos skaitė vieną po kitos, didžiules, naujas ir nepatraukliai storas - Sidro namų taisykles, Našlę vieneriems metams, Oveną Minį... Tačiau būtent Garpas, ironiškai, lentynoje gulėjo senas ir nepritampantis, keistu nemoderniu viršeliu (melsva, nuoga moteris juodame fone ir šlykštokos rožinės raidės). Šią knygą, skirtingai nuo naujai perleistųjų, kurios močiutės lentynoje atsirado kone vienu metu, pamenu visą vaikystę. Tas keistas, kažkuo baugus viršelis lentynoje, atrodė, sėdėjo per amžius ir visai manęs nekvietė jo paimti. Ten buvo tokia Suaugusiųjų knyga.

Šiaip ar taip močiutė yra žmogus, iš esmės išmokęs mane skaityti. Tad nei tada, nei vėliau, jau suaugusi, nenuvertinau jos literatūrinio skonio ar išprusimo. Bet, mąsčiau tai turbūt esant brandžių moterių literatūra - lėti ir ramūs, laiką žudantys, fantazijas kurstantys romanai, kuomet aš skaičiau Bulgakovą, Dostojevskį ir Becket'ą (didžiausia dvidešimtkeleriamečio yda - manymas, kad supranti viską geriau už visus aplinkui).

Ir štai šitaip, visai neplanuotai, net nežinau kodėl, sugalvojau, kad metas išbandytį tą Suaugusių moterų rašytoją. Gan simboliška, kad rankose pirmas atsidūrė Garpas (tik leidimas kitas: keistas, amerikoniškas minkštais viršeliais, delno dydžio, skausmingai mažo šrifto). Ir po 10 dienų jį, o tiksliau autoriaus Afterword kūrinio 20-mečio sukakties proga, skaityti baigiu su ašaromis akyse. Štai va šitaip atradau, ko gero, jei ne pačią, tai vieną iš absoliučiai galingiausių ir tiesiog mėgstamiausių knygų skaitytų per visą gyvenimą. Vo taip.

Ir tikrai natūralu skaityti atsiliepimus žmonių, kurie jos nesupranta, nesuprato ir niekad turbūt nesupras. Man tai tik dar labiau reiškia, kad ji mano. Man. Apie mane.

O kiek ten ji apie mane, aš niekam neprivalau aiškinti(s). Ji apie vyrus ir moteris. Apie aistrą ir pražūtį. Apie feminizmą ir antifeminizmą. Apie tėvystę (turiu omeny parenting. Paradoksalu, kad lietuviškai skamba kažkaip nefeministiškai :)). Apie toleranciją netoleruojančiam. Apie rašytoją ir rašymą... galėčiau vardinti, bet nenoriu, nes vardijant, skamba kažkaip bukai. Ši knyga kur kas giliau, nei tiesiog APIE. Man ji APIE mane ir viskas.

Net labai norėdama, neprikibčiau prie nė vieno žodžio, nė vieno skyriaus, sakinio, puslapio. Man tai knygų knyga. Tik džiaugiuosi skaičiusi originalo kalba, nes, nors lietuviškai tikrai perskaitysiu, mano manymu, tai vienas iš tų neišverčiamų kūrinių. Tarp eilučių tūnančio UnderToad išversti negalima.

Ir tesupranta tai tik skaitę.

P.S. Pažadau sau: gauti būtent tą, keistą leidimą su žalsva moterimi nuogomis krūtimis (gal net iš močiutės?) ir saugoti amžinai.

Récitire & Alegere inspirată. Irving has a remarkable talent for weaving stories, and a sense of humor that, if you, as a reader, don't align with, you'll loathe the book from the bottom of your heart. Garp is a unique character. He is a writer who desires a safe world for himself and his children. He is the kind of man you can easily fall in love with for his balanced and ironic mind, and for the certainty with which his devoted servant self-proclaims. His world is a world of Duncani and Helen, survivors who can have a happy life even with a glass eye and an amputated arm, for example.

Moreover, Irving's ability to create vivid and complex characters is truly outstanding. Garp's personality is multi-faceted, making him both relatable and fascinating. The world he inhabits is filled with a diverse cast of individuals, each with their own quirks and stories. Through Garp's eyes, we witness the joys and sorrows of life, the struggles and triumphs of love and family. The author's use of language is also值得称赞. His descriptions are detailed and evocative, painting a vivid picture in the reader's mind. Overall, Irving's work is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature.

Well, I'm not sure if it's good or bad news that my tastes haven't changed much since middle school ;)

As a tween, I made an English teacher extremely angry by attempting a book report on Garp. After just trying to retell part of the first chapter, the teacher nearly fainted! (Side note: Telling a kid a book is "banned" is a sure way to make them read it.)

Back then, I fell in love with Garp and John Irving, probably mostly due to the shock value. At that time, it was by far the most messed-up thing I'd ever read. After reading several dull books in a row, I decided to reread Garp to see if my perspective had changed.

The verdict? I still love Garp and adore John Irving, but thankfully, my reasons have matured. I could write a whole novel about this novel, but I'll keep it short!

Before even getting to the text, Irving's criticism of Trumpian politics in his new introduction made me want to give him a standing ovation!

Without going into too much detail about the plot, I think the main reason I love Garp and Irving is that the writing is both believable and unbelievable. I usually like stories that are either very realistic or completely fantastical, and Irving is one of the few who can manage both at the same time.

On the surface, the things that happen to the characters are so absurd and often terrible that the plot seems unbelievable. But after thinking about it, you realize that the events and the characters' actions are so messy, flawed, and imperfect that they seem incredibly real.

As one of the minor characters says, "A book feels true when it feels true. A book's true when you can say, 'Yeah! That's just how damn people behave all the time.' Then you know it's true." Garp is ridiculous, but it's real. To the horror of my middle school English teacher, I still give it a very high rating :)