Life of Black Hawk, or Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak
A Thousand Acres

The World According to Garp

Powerful and political, with unforgettable characters and timeless themes, The World According to Garp is John Irving’s breakout novel. The precursor of Irving’s later protest novels, it is the story of Jenny, an unmarried nurse who becomes a single mom and a feminist leader, beloved but polarizing—and of her son, Garp, 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 and violence—of intolerance of sexual minorities, and sexual differences—runs through the book, as relevant now as ever. Available in more than forty countries—with more than ten million copies in print—Garp is a comedy with forebodings of doom.

More Adult, Non-Juvenile Books

  • Real Americans begins in New York City on the brink of Y2K, following twenty-two-year-old Lily Chen, an unpaid intern, as she falls in love with the charming heir to a pharmaceutical empire, Matthew. Years later, her son Nick, feeling out of place on a remote island, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about his biological father, challenging the complexities of family, identity, and belonging.

    Read More about "Real Americans"...

  • An Indigenous artist blends the aesthetics of punk rock with the traditional spiritual practices of the women in her lineage in this bold, contemporary journey to reclaim her heritage and unleash her power and voice while searching for a permanent home.

  • As it interweaves narratives of dying and accommodation, Refuge transforms tragedy into a document of renewal and spiritual grace, resulting in a work that has become a classic.
  • Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

    Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt weaves a heartfelt narrative about Tova Sullivan, a widow who finds solace in her friendship with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus residing at the local aquarium. As Tova navigates her grief and the mystery surrounding her son's disappearance, the unlikely bond with Marcellus leads her to uncover long-buried truths about the past. This debut novel is a poignant exploration of connection, hope, and the complexities of life.

    Read More about "Remarkably Bright Creatures"...