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I have really enjoyed two of John Irvings novels but not this one.

(3 Posts)
Lovetopaint037 Mon 09-Oct-23 19:05:50

I loved The Cider House Rules and a Prayer for Owen Meany. However, I have struggled three quarters through The World According to Garp. I will finish it in the hope that the Irving endings will work his usual magic.. However, so far it seems to be obsessed with crude, gratuitous sexual fantasy ,which has become boring and ridiculous. It was such a runaway success when it was published that I feel I must have missed something. Please tell me that it will be great when the ending reveals something significant to make me eat my words.As for allowing his 12 year old son to read it ……….

Grantanow Sun 22-Oct-23 22:49:58

I liked his earlier novels - Cider House, Garp, all of those with Bears in them but his later novels are too long and ramble on for my taste.

Lovetopaint037 Sun 29-Oct-23 16:50:53

Thank you. That is interesting. Will give the early bear novels a go.Yes he can ramble but The World According to Garp was terrible - more porn than story.