The World According to Garp

Weirdest book I have read. It is so full of sex and so full of death. Sex not in a vulgar way, just sex as it is. And the same goes for death. There is a lot of gloom, but death is inevitable, and you just accept it. I wish so many people didn’t have to die, though, and the manner in which they did was the weirdest.

There are several short stories inside this story, and it is all very complex. But I had to finish it, and now I am both happy and confused. Happy that there was an ending—and one that I was okay with. It didn’t disappoint me. I am confused because, despite all the drama and strangeness in this book, it conveyed strong messages, and I wish it didn’t end.

The author had so many thoughts, and the beauty is that he was able to write them all down. You can’t stop reading, even though some parts of it make you wonder why you are still reading this book.

You are shocked, amused, reflective, and scared. It’s an emotional roller coaster. But you still want to read it to the end.

One of a kind.

What made me sad is that many of the absurdities and societal reactions and expectations are still relevant now. This book was written 40 years ago. I am curious how it was received by readers back then.

© 2026 Sindhuja Cheema Enzinger. All Rights Reserved.