Listen free for 30 days
-
The World According to Garp
- A Novel
- Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews, John Irving
- Length: 20 hrs and 54 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $48.25
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Buy it with
-
The Cider House Rules
- Written by: John Irving
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 24 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From one of America's most beloved and respected writers comes the classic story of Homer Wells, an orphan, and Wilbur Larch, a doctor without children of his own, who develop an extraordinary bond with one another.
-
-
Timeless
- By Chris Janzen on 2019-07-04
Written by: John Irving
-
A Prayer for Owen Meany
- Written by: John Irving
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 27 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Of all of John Irving's books, this is the one that lends itself best to audio. In print, Owen Meany's dialogue is set in capital letters; for this production, Irving himself selected Joe Barrett to deliver Meany's difficult voice as intended. In the summer of 1953, two 11-year-old boys – best friends – are playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire. One of the boys hits a foul ball that kills the other boy's mother. The boy who hits the ball doesn't believe in accidents; Owen Meany believes he is God's instrument. What happens to Owen after that 1953 foul ball is extraordinary and terrifying.
-
-
repeat listen
- By jolene on 2018-09-13
Written by: John Irving
-
The Hotel New Hampshire
- Written by: John Irving
- Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne
- Length: 19 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
“The first of my father’s illusions was that bears could survive the life lived by human beings, and the second was that human beings could survive a life led in hotels.” So says John Berry, son of a hapless dreamer, brother to a cadre of eccentric siblings, and chronicler of the lives lived, the loves experienced, the deaths met, and the strange times encountered by the family Berry. Hoteliers, pet-bear owners, friends of Freud (the animal trainer and vaudevillian, that is), and playthings of mad fate, they “dream on” in a funny, sad, outrageous, and moving novel.
-
-
A reluctant five stars
- By 1torio on 2023-04-13
Written by: John Irving
-
A Son of the Circus
- Written by: John Irving
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 26 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Born a Parsi in Bombay, sent to university and medical school in Vienna, Dr. Farrokh Daruwalla is a 59-year-old orthopedic surgeon and a Canadian citizen who lives in Toronto. Once, 20 years ago, Dr. Daruwalla was the examining physician of two murder victims in Goa, India. Now, 20 years later, he will be reacquainted with the murderer.
Written by: John Irving
-
The Last Chairlift
- Written by: John Irving
- Narrated by: Jacques Roy, Raquel Beattie, Cassandra Campbell, and others
- Length: 32 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Aspen, Colorado, in 1941, Rachel Brewster is a slalom skier at the National Downhill and Slalom Championships. Little Ray, as she is called, finishes nowhere near the podium, but she manages to get pregnant. Back home, in New England, Little Ray becomes a ski instructor. Her son, Adam, grows up in a family that defies conventions and evades questions concerning the eventful past. Years later, looking for answers, Adam will go to Aspen. In the Hotel Jerome, where he was conceived, Adam will meet some ghosts; they aren’t the first or the last ghosts he sees.
-
-
Used to love John Irving
- By Robyn on 2022-11-15
Written by: John Irving
-
Adult Onset
- Written by: Ann-Marie MacDonald
- Narrated by: Ann-Marie MacDonald
- Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mary Rose MacKinnon is a successful author of YA fiction doing a tour of duty as stay-at-home mom while her partner Hilary takes a turn focusing on her career. She tries valiantly to balance the (mostly) solo parenting of two young children with the relentless needs of her aging parents. But amid the hilarities of full-on domesticity arises a sense of dread. Do others notice the dents in the expensive refrigerator?
-
-
Powerful and heartful!
- By Fadia Zakkak on 2018-08-25
Written by: Ann-Marie MacDonald
-
The Cider House Rules
- Written by: John Irving
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 24 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From one of America's most beloved and respected writers comes the classic story of Homer Wells, an orphan, and Wilbur Larch, a doctor without children of his own, who develop an extraordinary bond with one another.
-
-
Timeless
- By Chris Janzen on 2019-07-04
Written by: John Irving
-
A Prayer for Owen Meany
- Written by: John Irving
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 27 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Of all of John Irving's books, this is the one that lends itself best to audio. In print, Owen Meany's dialogue is set in capital letters; for this production, Irving himself selected Joe Barrett to deliver Meany's difficult voice as intended. In the summer of 1953, two 11-year-old boys – best friends – are playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire. One of the boys hits a foul ball that kills the other boy's mother. The boy who hits the ball doesn't believe in accidents; Owen Meany believes he is God's instrument. What happens to Owen after that 1953 foul ball is extraordinary and terrifying.
-
-
repeat listen
- By jolene on 2018-09-13
Written by: John Irving
-
The Hotel New Hampshire
- Written by: John Irving
- Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne
- Length: 19 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
“The first of my father’s illusions was that bears could survive the life lived by human beings, and the second was that human beings could survive a life led in hotels.” So says John Berry, son of a hapless dreamer, brother to a cadre of eccentric siblings, and chronicler of the lives lived, the loves experienced, the deaths met, and the strange times encountered by the family Berry. Hoteliers, pet-bear owners, friends of Freud (the animal trainer and vaudevillian, that is), and playthings of mad fate, they “dream on” in a funny, sad, outrageous, and moving novel.
-
-
A reluctant five stars
- By 1torio on 2023-04-13
Written by: John Irving
-
A Son of the Circus
- Written by: John Irving
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 26 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Born a Parsi in Bombay, sent to university and medical school in Vienna, Dr. Farrokh Daruwalla is a 59-year-old orthopedic surgeon and a Canadian citizen who lives in Toronto. Once, 20 years ago, Dr. Daruwalla was the examining physician of two murder victims in Goa, India. Now, 20 years later, he will be reacquainted with the murderer.
Written by: John Irving
-
The Last Chairlift
- Written by: John Irving
- Narrated by: Jacques Roy, Raquel Beattie, Cassandra Campbell, and others
- Length: 32 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Aspen, Colorado, in 1941, Rachel Brewster is a slalom skier at the National Downhill and Slalom Championships. Little Ray, as she is called, finishes nowhere near the podium, but she manages to get pregnant. Back home, in New England, Little Ray becomes a ski instructor. Her son, Adam, grows up in a family that defies conventions and evades questions concerning the eventful past. Years later, looking for answers, Adam will go to Aspen. In the Hotel Jerome, where he was conceived, Adam will meet some ghosts; they aren’t the first or the last ghosts he sees.
-
-
Used to love John Irving
- By Robyn on 2022-11-15
Written by: John Irving
-
Adult Onset
- Written by: Ann-Marie MacDonald
- Narrated by: Ann-Marie MacDonald
- Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mary Rose MacKinnon is a successful author of YA fiction doing a tour of duty as stay-at-home mom while her partner Hilary takes a turn focusing on her career. She tries valiantly to balance the (mostly) solo parenting of two young children with the relentless needs of her aging parents. But amid the hilarities of full-on domesticity arises a sense of dread. Do others notice the dents in the expensive refrigerator?
-
-
Powerful and heartful!
- By Fadia Zakkak on 2018-08-25
Written by: Ann-Marie MacDonald
Publisher's Summary
A special 40th anniversary edition of the bestselling coming-of-age classic novel by John Irving, with a new introduction by the author.
"He is more than popular. He is a Populist, determined to keep alive the Dickensian tradition that revels in colorful set pieces...and teaches moral lessons." (The New York Times)
The opening sentence of John Irving's breakout novel, The World According to Garp, signals the start of sexual violence, which becomes increasingly political. "Garp's mother, Jenny Fields, was arrested in Boston in 1942 for wounding a man in a movie theater." Jenny is an unmarried nurse; she becomes a single mom and a feminist leader, beloved but polarizing. Her son, Garp, is less beloved, but no less polarizing.
From the tragicomic tone of its first sentence to its mordantly funny last line -- "we are all terminal cases" -- The World According to Garp maintains a breakneck pace. The subject of sexual hatred--of intolerance of sexual minorities and differences--runs the gamut of "lunacy and sorrow."
Winner of the National Book Award, Garp is a comedy with forebodings of doom. In more than thirty languages, in more than forty countries--with more than ten million copies in print--Garp is the precursor of John Irving's later protest novels.
What the critics say
“The most powerful and profound novel about women written by a man in our generation.... Like all extraordinary books, Garp defies synopsis.... A marvelous, important, permanent novel by a serious artist of remarkable powers.” (Chicago Sun-Times)
“Nothing in contemporary fiction matches it.... Irving’s blend of gravity and play is unique, audacious, almost blasphemous.... Brilliant, funny, and consistently wise; a work of vast talent.” (The New Republic)
"A large talent announces itself on practically every page." (The Book-of-the-Month Club News)
More from the same
What listeners say about The World According to Garp
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cake
- 2019-06-26
worth it
I was completely absorbed into the world according to Garp, a wonderful story by John Irving. I did skip the intro by the author at the beginning.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Gordon
- 2019-01-19
Didn't get past intro
I read this book and saw the movie years ago and was looking forward to this. I knew John Irving leaned far left. No problem. So do many of my favorite authors. But to go off on President Trump the way he does in his intro - well, not on my credit. Returned.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
24 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Juleshm
- 2019-05-10
My 2nd favorite Irving novel so far
Irving has such a gift for capturing the irreverent, awkward, and eccentric in every day moments through characters not afraid to ask lifes tough questions. Humor and tragedy side by side as in life. The novel first published in the 1970s was very apt for the times. It remains so in 2019. Jennys beginning was from old family money and puritanical parents. To their horror she became a nurse rather than marrying. During WW II Jenny Fields consciously decides to impregnate herself via circumstances which are bizarre to say the least. Irving an important American talent and I look forward to his gems haven’t read yet. This title and The Cider House Rules created literary characters for the times The 40th anniversary Audible edition features John Irving reading a forward. He had thought of Garp as a period piece and expressed disgust that sexually based hatred and its crimes are still so prevalent. I discover more with each reread.
Favorite Quote
All men are liars, said Roberta Muldoon, who knew this was true because she had once been a man
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Frank Donnelly
- 2020-04-10
A Very Well Read Audiobook - An Very Different Story
First as an audiobook, this is a very professional product. The narration is excellent. The audiobook starts with a forward by the author. I have a hard copy that has the same as an afterword. I preferred this the way it appears in my hard copy; reading it afterward.
As for the story itself, the writing is often brilliant. It is not "light" reading. It is more of a thoughtful work. There were times the story moved slowly and I had to preserve. There is, at times, very dark violence that one may find distasteful. As a former police detective I was often repulsed by the episodic violence.
On the other hand much of this book is really well constructed. The author made me care about characters. This made the end of the story as well as the epilogue particularly poignant.
"Garp" the character is a writer who seems to have disdain for reviews. Perhaps I should take the hint and stop here. Thank You...
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- BillyZ
- 2019-03-08
Authentic and relevant complexity
In The World According to Garp, you will encounter complex and authentic representations of having, raising, and losing children, building, destroying, and rebuilding romantic relationships, sexuality, gender, and fanaticism. Of the many aspects of this novel that I will carry with me, perhaps the strongest is that no matter how hard you try, you are likely to be misunderstood, especially if you grow.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- andrew
- 2021-05-27
Part of my life
I saw the movie as a boy and read the book as a man. It’s been an important story to me most of my life. I believe it’s the greatest fiction I will ever experience.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 2019-09-02
STILL great.
I've read this book 3 times, and listened to it once. John Irving is the only author I RE-read. Now I have a new narrator to seek out. MacLeod Andrews reads one of my favorite Irvings exactly as it should be read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Sharon Ames
- 2020-10-02
A review Garp would hopefully enjoy
Some background - This book was first suggested to me by my parents. They both claimed it was one of their all-time favorites and that they had read it many years ago. This was somewhat surprising because they each have very different taste in what they enjoy to read. I ordered the book off Amazon, not giving it much attention. When my copy arrived, it had a toad on the front and it made no sense to me then. I’m not sure what finally made me pick it up but I’m glad I did, when I did.
My review - John Irving is a fantastic writer and not too clever for his own good. I loved the layers of writers and writing, and how seamlessly Irving navigates between each tense, perspective, and new narrative. I loved the call backs and references he made for readers who paid attention. Irving’s use of language brought me into this world and I loved it. I believe Irving’s foreword is an important addition to the novel as well. It helped me understand this wasn’t a book about Garp. Letting go of that expectation allowed me to enjoy and focus on all of these rich characters and how they grow. On the note of characters - I hated Jozy Slopper’s dialogue and it felt like it was disrespectful and insensitive. Otherwise, I was happy with everyone else, flaws and all. This book will stay with me for a long time and I’m grateful to Irving for the lessons ingrained.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- RB
- 2019-05-08
Absolutely love it
As good as it gets. Just wish the author kept his anti Trump politics from the intro. Seems way out of place. I stopped listening to the news to of to get away from the constant Trump drone. Shouldn't have to hear to it with one of my fav novels. Hope they drop that in the future.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- caroline thomas
- 2022-05-17
Returned
Its ok you have strong political views. I won't be paying to hear them. Why add that intro? I don't care if you hate Trump or that YOU feel he is solely responsible for our divided country (try the media). I know you lean left but don't pontificate when selling entertainment to the general public. We are a two party country. it's what makes America great. I'm so sad I can't enjoy your books anymore. Wrong platform.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Wyatt
- 2019-06-12
A roller coaster of emotion
This book was an amazingly colorful story with fascinating characters with lots of depth. Truly worth reading again
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful