The World According To Garp

Having read John Irving before (A Prayer for Owen Meany and A Widow for One Year) and having seen the movie Cider House Rules based on his book of the same name, I decided to tackle his most famous piece of work - The World According to Garp. Controversial and at times shocking, Irving crafts his characters so well that one can never forget them. Every character in the book plays a crucial role in the life of Garp, no matter how often they appear on the pages.

T.S. Garp is a son of a so-called feminist who struggles to be accepted as a serious writer throughout his life. He begs to be different from his mother in her views of the world, even though he can't help but admire her in the end. The protectionism that Jenny Fields exhibited on her son while growing up is the same way Garp treats his family although he doesn't realize it. Jenny and Garp are the same when it comes to extreme beliefs.

Some may find the plot funny but I couldn't help feeling the Under Toad hovering in the air all throughout the book. An aura of dread fills the pages even when you think everything is going well. The situations in which Garp gets himself into are simultaneously hilarious and insane. The themes of sexual desire and death are constantly present and provide a strong undertone throughout the book. As per Garp, all things must have an epilogue and he makes sure they do.