Now available as an ebook for the first time ever in America, the bestselling coming-of-age classic novel by John Irvingโthe 40th anniversary edition with a new introduction by the author.ย
โHe 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.โโThe New York Timesย
The opening sentence of John Irvingโs breakout novelย The World According to Garp signals the start of sexual violence, which becomes increasingly political. โGarpโs mother, Jenny Fields, was arrested in Boston in 1942 for wounding a man in a movie theater.โ 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.ย
From the tragicomic tone of its first sentence to its mordantly funny last lineโโwe are all terminal casesโโThe World According to Garp maintains a breakneck pace. The subject of sexual hatredโof intolerance of sexual minorities and differencesโruns the gamut of โlunacy and sorrow.โ Winner of the National Book Award,ย Garpย is a comedy with forebodings of doom. In more than thirty languages, in more than forty countriesโwith more than ten million copies in printโGarpย is the precursor of John Irvingโs later protest novels.