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The World According to Garp, a novel by John Irving, catapulted Irving to international acclaim. This sprawling and darkly humorous tale follows the life of Garp, a young writer whose experiences with love, loss, and family are both poignant and absurd. The novel's complex characters, incisive social commentary, and blend of tragedy and comedy resonated with readers worldwide, establishing Irving as a literary force and earning him a wide following.