The World According to Garp

A Novel

By: John Irving

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.

©1976, 1977, 1978 John Irving (P)2018 Penguin Audio

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 large talent announces itself on practically every page." (The Book-of-the-Month Club News)

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.

Sigh...💯

My first Irving novel that I actually finished. I couldn’t get through Owen Meany, Owen Meany’s narrated voice gave me a headache. This novel was so entertaining! I really like Irving’s satire and crudeness, I giggled quite a bit throughout. Although some heartbreaking events and my disagreement with the politics, Irving has a beautiful way of writing. Roberta/Robert was by favorite character!

Exceptional in every way!

Excellent story, narration was wonderful. So much in one book. I absolutely loved it! 🧡

feminist novel with considerable heart

In the author's introduction he says it is a feminist novel with a considerable bit of bodily damage done to characters. He's right, but so is the author's son when he said it was a book about a father's loving anxiety for the safety of his children. It also gives insight into the struggles of being an author.

The movie does not do this book justice at all

I love John Irving my favorite book of all time is a prayer for Owen Meany I have never read the world according to Garp and always just pictured Robin Williams in the movie whenever I heard about it. I had never even seen the whole movie. Decided to give this book a try and loved it
John Irving‘s writing and character development are just such a great listen give this one a try

Good One

Irving does a great job of layering the story in this one. Revealing things early, and then providing more and more detail. There are many genuinely funny bits in here.

The narrator does a fantastic job as well.

A Very Well Read Audiobook - An Very Different Story

First as an audiobook, this is a very professional product. The narration is excellent. The audiobook starts with a forward by the author. I have a hard copy that has the same as an afterword. I preferred this the way it appears in my hard copy; reading it afterward.

As for the story itself, the writing is often brilliant. It is not "light" reading. It is more of a thoughtful work. There were times the story moved slowly and I had to preserve. There is, at times, very dark violence that one may find distasteful. As a former police detective I was often repulsed by the episodic violence.

On the other hand much of this book is really well constructed. The author made me care about characters. This made the end of the story as well as the epilogue particularly poignant.

"Garp" the character is a writer who seems to have disdain for reviews. Perhaps I should take the hint and stop here. Thank You...

Better for it.

A recommended read for anyone who is putting themselves on the frontline of any social or feminist cause. You can get a literary perspective on a varied array of women who have gone through their own unique experiences. It allowed me to vicariously live other's lives and experiment with looking at issues from a different point of view.

Everything and then some. I can't say enough

A complete story. Nothing more could be added. That would make it feel untrue.

Fantastic narration!

So thought provoking and funny at the same time. It's hard not to love such richly written characters.