i may not be a writer, or a student of literature, or anything else related to all these other "reviewers", but i am an avid reader. John Irving has had me spellbound since i picked up A Prayer For Owen Meany years ago, for a project in high school. i've gobbled up everything else he's written....only to find myself wishing that he'd publish something else soon!! The World According to Garp was such fun to read, although i won't hesitate to say a little shocking, at times...i lost and regained my respect (and hope) for Garp several times throughout the novel, but i was absolutely thrilled with the ending...this book was excellent, just one step behind A Prayer For Owen Meany...