Q

John Irving on why The World According to Garp is more relevant now than he ever imagined

Irving reflects on The World According to Garp 40 years after its release. He sat down with Tom Power to discuss why he believes its themes are still relevant today, despite thinking it would be dated by the time it was released in 1978.

Author John Irving reflects on the book that made him famous, The World According to Garp, 40 years after its release. It's a sharp, funny story about sex, the feminist movement, wrestling and writing, and it's very much about its times.

Irving sat down with Tom Power to discuss why he believes the book's themes are more relevant now than ever, despite thinking it would be dated by the time it was released in 1978. 

A 40th anniversary edition of The World According to Garp comes out Tuesday, November 13 with a brand new introduction by the author. Watch the full interview with Irving above. 

John Irving with host Tom Power in the q studio in Toronto, Ont. (Vivian Rashotte/CBC)

Produced by ​Chris Trowbridge

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