Book of the month: The World According to Garp

"But writers, Garp sadly knew were just observers––good ruthless imitators of human behaviors."

It's almost summer time, which means summer reading. We'll see if this summer allows for as much reading as normal. It will be my first when I'm hopefully working full time, in a job that involves a lot of non-fiction reading. It will also be my first summer living with roommates; it's much easier to read when no one is home.

Regardless of how many books I read this summer, for some reason, my favorite book of the year is usually read over the summer. 

My favorite book from last summer is John Irving's "The World According to Garp." I stole it from the Book and Bake sale pile at school; it was hardback and old. I drove down to a cute kitschy coffee shop in Point Loma called the living room. Outside it was cold and cloudy, just a typical June day in a Southern California beach city. I ordered a cup of Rooibos tea and opened the book and began reading, staying long after my tea was finished.

I started the book while reading another one because I didn't have the other one with me when I went to the Living Room that day to wait for traffic to die down before I drove back to Orange County. Story short, I gave up on the other book or finished it later because I was sucked into "Garp" by the first page.

John Irving is my favorite author. "A Prayer for Owen Meany" is in my opinion the best piece of literature ever written. "Garp," however, the rivalry between the two was as thick as those in a political race. Owen will always be my favorite though.

"Garp," tells the story of a writer, with a bit of a meta-fiction flair; it's a story somewhat about story telling.

I have no desire to give too much of the plot, that is  for one to enjoy every bit of without knowing what's going to happen.

Something Irving is a master is making you feel as if you are part of the book. All I will say is that he somehow made me rethink whether cheating on your wife/husband is as despicable as I once thought. I know that sounds horrible, but it just goes to show how his writing can make you feel just about anything. He is that powerful.

But read it for yourself and tell me what you think.