Rating: 
Summary: A Comtemporary Classic
Review: John Irving has become a legend in his own time. Anybody who calls themselves a reader should take the time to read this novel. I do not hesitate to recommend this book to everyone and anyone. This book was one of the most memorable books I have read in years and I do plenty of reading. There were plenty of laughs and even more tears. He plays off these opposite ends like he plays off life and death, male and female, love and hate, loyalty and infidelity. It is beautifully written, and a treat to read. The characters were eccentric, lovable, and most of all human. I think we could all relate to Mr. Irving's novel in someway. I do not think anyone will have a problem getting tangled in this web that Mr. Irving weaved.
Rating:
Summary: A book that will have you laughing and crying.
Review: I haven't read a book this good in a while. It kept me wondering how it would conclude, and by the time I got there, I didn't want to know; I didn't want it to end. I reccomend it to everyone, young and old. It will be remembered.
Rating: 
Summary: The worst book I ever read!
Review: This was by far and without a doubt the WORST book I ever read. It was so horrible that I refused to finish it. The title character is badly written, unfunny, and unsympatheic in every way. The book deals with such subject matters as death, love, infidelity, and then some more infidelity with such indifference that it is painful. If anything thhe book seems to make fun of people's pain, suffering, and humiliation. I hated this book!
Rating: 
Summary: OK but not great
Review: Garp had its funny moments and its sad moments and its riveting moments, but throughout the novel I could never make any personal connection with TS Garp himself. Most of what happened to him seemed to be his own fault, but he himself could never see that. And I didn't quite understand why the feminists hated him so, other than simple and largely accidental mistakes, which then grew into their perception of him. I almost saw the climactic accident which killed Walt as just desserts for his myopic and entirely one-sided obsession not only with his wifes affair but his own inability as an author. The novel has left me, however, with a thirst to see the movie and to see how well Robin Williams can recreate the shallowness and boredom of TS Garp.
Rating:
Summary: THE Great American Novel
Review: John Irving is a genious--the fact that he would argue with me about this underscores his power and skill. Garp is the most affecting, powerful novel I have ever read (or will read). I know Irving is beloved by his fans, but I don't often see him compared to the great literary lions of our time--Mailer, Updike, Pynchon, etc. I have no idea why this is. Only Garcia Marquez approaches the power that Irving has. The World According to Garp is evidence of the "absurdity rule." If I hear another person say Irving is outlandish or "quirky," I'll scream. Life is absurd--ANYONE who attempts to depict the human condition without representing this simple fact fails. The book is at times both unbearably sweet and unbelievably harsh--just like real life. Read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Completely human - loved it!
Review: Some parts of this book were so unbelievably bizarre, I was surprised that all the while, I still related to them. Irving has the gift of making absurdity seem real. I guess the realness comes from his portrayal of human behavior.. the hypocrisy, the rebellion, the horniness :). The characters were lovable, the turns of the plot were riveting (though, I will say that people who do not have open minds will probably not enjoy this book). Yay, Irving!
Rating:
Summary: Adorable Book
Review: I fell in love with the cute father Garp, his sultry bookish wife Helen, and their evil lusty temptations. Lusty work of fiction, with crazy characters, who could not but just love this book?
Rating:
Summary: Splendid Work by John Irving
Review: I truely believe this is one of the best contemporary books if not author of this century so far. Notice how others gave this book less than 5 stars because they didn't enjoy the feminism in this book, just because a man wrote it. It's obvious that they enjoyed this book, but only that they don't agree with the author/character's thoughts.Everyone has to read this, EVERYONE.
Rating:
Summary: It made me laugh while at the same time cry; it is wonderful
Review: I was first introduced to Garp by the also wonderful movie on a Saturday night about a week after Christmas. I didn't, at first, know that the movie was also a book, but after I watched the movie and was shocked at how much it had stirred up my emotions, I knew I had to read the book, and I knew I would love it. I picked up the book and became engrossed with all the characters, I was very depressed to come to the end of it as with any good books and after I finished it, I just sat there for about an hour and cried. The best bok I have ever read. A must read for any true fan of American literature.
Rating:
Summary: Great Variety of Characters of Looney; Interesting Story
Review: Even though this book was written by a man, full head on feminism was in full play. How Garp's mother went out and did her own thing, how Garp became a work at home dad without a steady job while his wife Helen (what a vixen) was out working and taking in the steady income. This is a book any feminist would fall in love with, well, if you can see through the story and into the real plot.
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