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4.03 AVERAGE


When a co-worker at my job handed me this book I wasn't thrilled to read it, I never heard of John Irving let alone read any of his books. So I began reading the book because I knew my co worker would ask me what i thought of it so I couldn't NOT read it. And this is my life story with books I think I'm going to hate something but when I begin reading it I can't put it down. This book was hilarious from the beginning till end. And no that does not mean that this book is a comedy because there is tragedy here, there is infidelity and so much more. Garp was the son of a women who was considered a feminist but who didn't care so much for the term herself. This story is the life through his eyes but it begins showing us the world according to Garps mother first who was named Jenny Feilds. At the beginning of the novel I thought Jenny smothered Garp to much and she is the reason why he grew up to be the way he was. Garp is not your typical main character, I even kind of hated him at some parts because he was so arrogant and pretentious and had himself on a pedestal that someone needed to knock him off of. I got so mad the way he reacted when he found out Helen was having an affair with one of her students when he cheated on her not once BUT TWO times with TWO different baby sitters, he had no right. Garp and Helens marriage was very unconventional and I loved that especially the part where they did that foursome with there friends Alice and Harrison (well more of a switch between spouses) that was just to hilarious. This book is very original and that was very refreshing. The characters were people we all know in real life. The ending wasn't so much of a shocker because the way the story goes you kind of figured that Garp was going to get killed in the end especially because he was such an assholes at times lol. Despite his flaws I loved Garp and sympathized with him.

This book has ALOT of sex, Garp was full of lust and I thought that was so ironic because thats what one thing his feminist mother despised above all. Throughout the book Irving showed us Garps story but I was really upset that we never got to see a little more of his mothers auto biography because that would have been awesome. Irving should totally publish that as another novel "The Sexual Suspect" how awesome would that be?.

dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging funny inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
adventurous dark emotional funny sad medium-paced

Garp is probably one of my favorite books of all time. I havent read it in a while and I'm defintely due for an a re-read. There's just something about the way John Irving writes that draws me in. He has a real gift for weaving a complicated and enthralling story.
adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Quite funny and clever, a decent book.
dark funny reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A novel about life and dealing with it. At times dark, revolting and funny.

avaflava's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 18%

Maybe I’ll revisit it in the future but right now it’s not gripping my attention and it’s due back to the library. 
slow-paced