Rating: 
Summary: FULL OF WONDER, LOVE AND HUMANITY
Review: At first glance, regardless of all the wonderful reviews, this book did not truly catch my interest on the book shelf. However, after reading "A Prayer for Owen Meany" and "Cider House Rules,"(both are mind-absorbing books that will stay with you for years to come) it was clear that "Garp" might just be worth reading. As we already know, John Irving is an extremely gifted writer. This book will make you cry, smile, and evoke so many emotions that you will want it to go on forever. Written in many different languages in many different countries, it is not surprising that the new "20th Anniversary Edition" with an afterword by John Irving, is being snapped off the bookshelves like pancakes off a hot griddle! From Garp's rather "unique conception," through all his growing pains and eccentric mother, to the book's final chapter, you will be captivated with a sense of love, awe and bittersweet reflections of your own youthful days. You have not seen the world, until you have read Garp.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible-credible
Review: I had always heard of the film version of the book, but I never knew it was an adaptation of an already existing novel. To me, it was always one of those movies people always tell you you have to rent; until one night, to my surprise, I discovered an old hard-cover, early edition of it sitting on a shelf in the Bookmobile. The author's name sounded to me like that of an already-dead, nineteenth century writer, but when I picked it up and saw the back-cover photo of John Irving, I couldn't help laughing! He looked young, even muscular - let alone, still alive. Anyway, I checked it out and read it. And read it. And read it. Every morning and then every night, while communitng on the subway (my usual reading time) I laughed, I cried, I was in a different place. Once I laughed non-stop for so long that it became contagious throughout the train-car I was in (a memorable experience indeed). I was in The World According to Garp. It is one of my favorite books of all time - definitely among my top five. As a father, a husband and a human being, it has had a tremendous effect on me. Of course I recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: this book is one of my favorites!
Review: i have lots of mixed emotions while i was reading this book which is what i usually look for in a book... the bizarre characters and even more bizarre events would all make you laugh, mad, fall in love and cry... it's like reading 2 stories in one book--garp's and his mother's... a real page turner... give it a shot!
Rating:
Summary: All that a storyteller should be
Review: This is the third novel of Irving's I have read. Each time I put down one novel my fingers twitch to pick up another. I open his book and have no idea where he will lead me. Reading his book is like living on a constant curve in the road of life. But, you trust your storyteller. Irving gently takes you by the hand and leads you into his world of unsuspecting, quirky characters. You trust Irving in such a way that regardless of what he put in front of you - you can accept it and revel in your acceptance. In Garp, Irving introduces you into a slice of the world a little bit crazy and certainly unusual in a lot of places. And yet in this world one can empathize and relate to practically every character on some level or in some way - Garp, Jenny, Roberta, Ellen James, Mrs. Ralph. These are unforgettable characters. Perhaps the trust emanates from the fact that each of these characters hides somewhere in the webs of our own minds. While we believe Irving is narrating us through a fictional and foreign world, he is really leading through the intricacies of our own thoughts, life, and existence.
Rating:
Summary: A man finds meaning over and over through his bizarre life.
Review: From the minute I picked up this very large book about the very extensive life of fictional T.S. Garp, his family and friends - I couldn't put it down. Moments of just plain bizarre story telling mingle and mix with John Irving's beautiful prose. "Wow!" is all I could say to my friends as I quickly let them borrow my copy. Alough there are a few risque scenes, it all ends up being very important and neccesary in the end. A must read for lovers of the melodrama / tragi-comedy / dramady of our modern literary world. It's book-within-a-book of fun! You fall for all of the characters, including Jenny Fields, Garp's unwittingly feminist mother; Roberta Muldoon, a transsexual football player; and Helen, Garp's practical love. A tragicly funny story of the life of a person that you will wish was real.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book
Review: A story of three generations in a highly atypical family. Comic to the point of inducing laughter out loud, this book exposes intense psychological issues (such as the need for safety, the position of men and women in society, rape and senseless violence, and the foibles that mark humanity) in a manner that makes the reader feel a little less ostracized from society, regardless of their eccentricity. A really wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful But Unlikely Story
Review: John Irving is a very thorough and gifted storyteller. I had familiarity with some of his previous work, but only recently discovered "The World According to Garp". In reality, the story does not have a real life lesson or moral. It is just an interesting and entertaining tale about a strange life. As odd and unlikely as many of the characters may seem, one must suspend disbelief and be entertained.T. S. Garp seemed to doomed to live an abnormal life. Even the manner in which he we conceived is odd to the point where it is not believable. Garp grows up without a father and a mother who describes herself as a "sexual suspect" because she is an unwed mother. Garp grows to maturity at the all boys school which his life seems to revolve around. In his childhood, his mother is a nurse. Through his mother's life, she compiles interesting tales that compile her book. This book makes the reluctant head of the women's liberation movement and vulnerable to radical groups like the ficticious Ellen Jamesians. The alignment with the feminist movements leads to the eventual demise of both Garp and his mother. Along the way, we an interesting cast of charaters. Roberta is the best friend to Jenny Fields, Garp's mother. However, Roberta was once known as Robert or #90. In fact, she once played Tight End in the NFL. Garp also becomes closely associate with Ellen James, the reluctant martyr of a feminist group who cut out their own tongues. Despite an obvious shadow cast by his mother, Garp's goal in life is to become a successful writer. He does finish three stories. All of these stories are included in the book. Each of the stories give a little into Garp's character. The first two stories are a little drab. However, the third story is actually well done. I almost wish I could read the actual product. The stories written by Garp are included in the book. My only objection to this is that they interupt the momentum of the story. The book is very well written. I find in remarkable how thorough John Irving is in his writing. Additionally, many parts in the book are genuinely funny. Once I started the book, I found it hard to put down. It is a great book for dedicated fiction readers.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!!
Review: This is a book about more or less living life. About The hardship that a family goes though to become a stronger family. How a man strugles hard to find out his identity. John Irving did a masterful job with this book. He puts so much life into everyone in the book. I really loved the last couple of chapters. I never would have guessed how the book would have ended. Its a must read!
Rating: 
Summary: Irritating
Review: More subplots, deus ex machina, and characters whose actions and thoughts defy reason, per-page, than a Tom Robbins novel. Getting the rug pulled out from under you this often is only fun if you're wearing a helmet.
Rating:
Summary: A VERY GOOD BOOK!!!
Review: This was a great book to read because the characters were so real and the story-telling by John Irving was outstanding!! You will not regret buying this one. I am left speechless, and I am urging all of you to definitely read this book before its too late, because remember, "In the world according to Garp, we are all terminal cases."
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