Reading the 20th Century discussion

I have yet to listen to the latest Backlisted Podcast, out this very day folks, however it it is about...

The World According to Garp by John Irving

Do we have many John Irving fans in the group?

I haven't read any for decades however there was a time when I was in love with his work and worked my way through....

The World According to Garp
The Hotel New Hampshire
The Cider House Rules
A Prayer for Owen Meany

...and really liked them all. I'd imagine I'd have given each of those five stars had I been rating and reviewing then

I notice there are lots more of his books that I have not read and wondered whether I should be putting that right?

What's the all important RTTC verdict?

Back to The World According to Garp, I'm pretty sure it's this book that has the "oral sex in the car" moment. Ouch. Once read, that can never be unread. I think it's also in Garp where the feminist group all cut out their tongues in solidarity with the little girl.

I'll report back once I've listened to the podcast

Nigeyb wrote: " I'm pretty sure it's this book that has the "oral sex in the car" moment. Ouch. Once read, that can never be unread. I think it's also in Garp where the feminist group all cut out their tongues in solidarity with the little girl."

Blimey! I've never read any Irving - and now wonder what I've been missing all this time... ;)

I have never read any either - most of them look rather long and that is probably what deterred me.

Thanks Hugh. Thanks Roman Clodia


You two must be a lot younger than I thought ;-)

I've now listened to the podcast and the consensus was that Garp really stands up as a novel and remains incredibly contemporary, which I was surprised about. The discussion certainly inspires me to revisit it.

The books I mention above do, still, seem to be the best of the bunch despite his remaining productive and popular

I didn't read much American fiction at all in my 20s and 30s.

I used to love John Irving when I was young, and really liked all the four books you mention, Nigeyb, but whenever I've tried his more recent books they have not appealed. Either he has changed or I have.

I've read The Hotel New Hampshire and part of The Cider House Rules. I saw both movies, too.

Alistair wrote:


"I've wanted to read John Irving forever..."

I loved reading John Irving's books in the 80s and 90s and will be revisiting them soon - my first port of call will be A Prayer for Owen Meany

I won't tempt you as I know you have a full schedule of books programmed in for months in advance

I loved Owen Meany when i read it years ago and have often thought it was one of my very favorite books. I should reread it and see what I think now.

(I love when an old discussion is revived).

I did read a lot of American fiction in my 20s and 30s, but John Irving's escaped me so far. He's in good company, though. I also love a long novel, but they do have to be planned some time in adavance. And yeah, I'm kinda fully booked through January. I've signed up to a lot of groups...

I somehow missed John Irving, too, even though I started reading American fiction before I started reading British fiction. (My father loves The Godfather and similar books, so he encouraged me to try out American fiction first)

My favorite Irving was Hotel New Hampshire. I just finished The World According to Garp and it kept me reading though I felt it had flaws.

Thanks for the recommendations, Sam - I will check them out on Kindle.

Warms my heart to see this Irving Love Fest

I'm an old school Irving fan. I do think he became -- and currently is a victim of -- what used to be the Stephen King problem, but now has expanded to include many more Established Writers No One Will Edit Because They Might Change Publishers. (I'm side-eyeing Barbara Kingsolver as LitFic Examplar #1.)

For readers who haven't read him before, I recommend sticking with novels published before, but including, A Widow for One Year. Post-2000 Irving is not the same reading experience as pre-2000 Irving.

@Nigeyb, your initial comment in this thread flags the must-reads, IMO.

Thanks Carol. I will heed your sagely advice

I shall savagely heed it, too.