This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. The World According to Garp

   

   The novel follows the life of T.S. Garp, the illegitimate son of a feminist mother, who becomes a writer. Garp's life is filled with unusual experiences and characters, from his unconventional conception to his untimely death. He navigates through a world filled with sexual violence, infidelity, and gender issues, and his life story is punctuated by his own literary creations. His mother's feminist ideals and the tragic events of his life deeply influence his writing and worldview.

   The 407th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. A Prayer for Owen Meany

   

   The book is a tale of two childhood friends, one of whom believes he is God's instrument. The story is set in a New England town during the 1950s and 1960s and follows the lives of the two boys, one small and with a strange voice, who has visions of his own death and believes he is an instrument of God, and the other, the narrator, who struggles with faith. The novel explores themes of faith, fate, and the power of friendship against a backdrop of historical and political events, including the Vietnam War.

   The 524th Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. The Cider House Rules

   

   This novel tells the story of Dr. Wilbur Larch—saint and obstetrician, founder and director of the orphanage in the town of St. Cloud's, Maine, and a man of rare compassion and an addiction to ether. Dr. Larch loves all his orphans, especially Homer Wells, who is never adopted and becomes his invaluable apprentice. As Homer comes of age, he must leave the only home he's ever known to explore the world outside, a world filled with temptations and moral dilemmas, from the struggle over abortion to the question of what constitutes a family.

   The 2483rd Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. The Hotel New Hampshire

   

   The novel follows the Berry family, whose eccentricities and resilience are tested over generations, particularly through their experiences running various incarnations of the eponymous hotel. From their original establishment in New England to a second in Vienna, the Berrys encounter a cast of quirky characters, endure tragedies, and navigate complex relationships. Themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of dreams are explored against a backdrop of political and social upheaval, with the family's unique motto, "Keep passing the open windows," serving as a refrain for their determination to persevere in the face of life's absurdities and challenges.

   The 8098th Greatest Book of All Time

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5. 5. The Water Method Man

   

   The novel follows the life of Fred "Bogus" Trumper, a perpetual graduate student struggling with a series of personal and professional challenges. As he navigates his complicated relationships with his estranged wife, Tulpen, and his son, Colm, Bogus grapples with his indecisiveness and a chronic urinary tract issue that serves as a metaphor for his inability to confront his problems. The story unfolds through a blend of humor and introspection, capturing Bogus's journey toward self-discovery and acceptance amidst the chaos of his life.

   The 16632nd Greatest Book of All Time

6. 6. Setting Free The Bears

   

   In this whimsical and thought-provoking tale, two Austrian university students, Siggy and Hannes, embark on a daring adventure to liberate the animals from the Vienna Zoo. Set against the backdrop of post-World War II Europe, their journey is filled with humor, philosophical musings, and a deep exploration of freedom and captivity. As they navigate their own personal struggles and the complexities of their plan, the narrative weaves between past and present, revealing the intricate tapestry of human and animal lives intertwined. The story is a poignant reflection on the nature of liberation, the bonds of friendship, and the enduring quest for meaning in a world marked by chaos and change.

   The 16665th Greatest Book of All Time

7. 7. A Widow For One Year

   

   The novel explores the complex emotional landscape of love, loss, and the passage of time through the intertwined lives of its characters. It follows the journey of Ruth Cole, a successful writer, from her tumultuous childhood marked by the tragic death of her brothers and her parents' troubled marriage, to her adult life as she navigates relationships and her own personal struggles. The narrative delves into themes of grief, forgiveness, and the enduring impact of past events, offering a poignant examination of how individuals cope with life's challenges and find meaning in their experiences.

8. 8. Until I Find You

   

   The novel follows the life of Jack Burns, an actor and tattoo artist, as he embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about his past and his elusive father. Raised by his mother, Alice, a tattoo artist, Jack's childhood is marked by their travels across Europe in search of his father, a church organist with a penchant for tattoos. As Jack matures, he grapples with the complexities of his relationships, his career, and the haunting memories of his upbringing. The story delves into themes of identity, memory, and the impact of family secrets, weaving a narrative that explores the intersections of love, loss, and self-discovery.

9. 9. Avenue Of Mysteries

   

   Set against the backdrop of the Philippines and Mexico, this novel follows the journey of Juan Diego, a writer who revisits his past through vivid dreams and memories. As a young boy, Juan Diego grew up in a Mexican dump with his sister Lupe, who possesses the uncanny ability to read minds and predict the future. Their lives are shaped by a series of mystical and transformative events, including encounters with a circus, a Jesuit mission, and a mysterious figure known as "The Virgin." As Juan Diego navigates his adult life, his past and present intertwine, revealing the profound impact of his childhood experiences on his identity and destiny.
10. 10. The Fourth Hand

    

    In this intriguing tale, a television journalist named Patrick Wallingford loses his left hand in a freak accident during a live broadcast in India, setting off a series of unexpected events that intertwine fate, love, and redemption. As he navigates the complexities of his new reality, Patrick becomes the recipient of a hand transplant, leading him into an unusual relationship with the widow of the donor. This connection challenges his perceptions of intimacy and identity, ultimately guiding him on a journey of self-discovery and transformation, where he learns to embrace vulnerability and the unpredictable nature of life.

11. 11. The Last Chairlift

    

    Set against the backdrop of a New England ski resort, this novel weaves a tale of family, identity, and the search for belonging. The protagonist, a young man, grapples with the complexities of his unconventional family dynamics, including his enigmatic mother and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his birth. As he navigates the challenges of adolescence and adulthood, he encounters a cast of eccentric characters who shape his understanding of love, loyalty, and self-discovery. The story unfolds with a blend of humor and poignancy, exploring themes of acceptance and the enduring bonds that define family.

12. 12. A Son Of The Circus

    

    Set against the vibrant backdrop of India, this intricate narrative weaves together the lives of a diverse cast of characters, centering around a Canadian-Indian doctor who is drawn back to his homeland. As he grapples with his identity and the complexities of his past, he becomes entangled in a series of mysterious murders. The story delves into themes of cultural duality, identity, and the human condition, all while exploring the chaotic beauty and contradictions of Indian society. With a blend of humor and drama, the tale unfolds in a tapestry of interconnected lives, revealing the unexpected ways in which they influence one another.

13. 13. My Movie Business

    A Memoir

    

    In this insightful memoir, the author delves into the intricate process of adapting his novels for the silver screen, offering a candid glimpse into the world of filmmaking. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and professional experiences, he explores the challenges and triumphs of translating written narratives into visual stories, while reflecting on the collaborative nature of the film industry. The narrative is infused with humor and honesty, providing readers with a unique perspective on the intersection of literature and cinema.

14. 14. The 158 Pound Marriage

    

    Set against the backdrop of the 1970s, this novel explores the complexities of human relationships through the lens of two married couples who engage in a consensual partner-swapping arrangement. As the boundaries of love, jealousy, and fidelity blur, the characters grapple with the emotional consequences of their unconventional lifestyle. The narrative delves into themes of desire, identity, and the intricate dynamics of marriage, ultimately questioning the true nature of commitment and the price of personal freedom.
15. 15. Last Night In Twisted River

    

    Set in the rugged landscapes of New Hampshire, this novel unfolds over five decades, tracing the tumultuous lives of a cook named Dominic Baciagalupo and his son, Danny. After a tragic accident forces them to flee their logging camp home, they embark on a journey across America, constantly evading the vengeful wrath of a relentless lawman. As Danny matures into a successful writer, the narrative weaves through themes of loss, identity, and the enduring bonds of family, all while exploring the complexities of human relationships and the impact of past decisions on the present.

16. 16. In One Person

    

    Set against the backdrop of the evolving landscape of sexual identity and societal norms, this poignant coming-of-age story follows the life of Billy Abbott, a bisexual writer, as he navigates the complexities of love, desire, and self-discovery. Spanning several decades, the narrative delves into Billy's relationships with a diverse array of characters, each contributing to his understanding of his own identity and the broader spectrum of human sexuality. Through moments of humor, heartbreak, and introspection, the story explores themes of acceptance, the fluidity of gender, and the courage to embrace one's true self in a world often resistant to change.

17. 17. Setting Free The Bears / The Water Method Man / The 158 Pound Marriage

    

    This collection of novels explores the intricacies of human relationships and the quest for personal freedom. Each story delves into the lives of unique characters navigating their own challenges and desires. From a whimsical plot to liberate zoo animals, to the comedic yet poignant journey of a man grappling with his identity and relationships, and finally, to the complex dynamics of a polyamorous marriage, these narratives weave together themes of love, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness in a world filled with unexpected twists and turns.

18. 18. John Irving Reads The Pension Grillparzer

    

    In this captivating narrative, a family embarks on a peculiar journey to a pension in Vienna, where they encounter a troupe of eccentric performers. The story unfolds with a blend of humor and poignancy, as the characters navigate their own personal struggles and aspirations amidst the backdrop of the whimsical and surreal world of the pension. Through a series of unexpected events and interactions, the tale explores themes of identity, ambition, and the often unpredictable nature of life, leaving readers with a sense of wonder and reflection.

19. 19. The Imaginary Girlfriend

    

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20. 20. Trying To Save Piggy Sneed

    And Other Stories

    

    A vividly told collection of short stories that follows a parade of eccentric, damaged, and often desperate characters whose lives—marked by familial oddities, loss, and improbable moments of grace—reveal the darkly comic and tender edges of human experience; through recurring concerns of identity, survival, parental failure, and the redemptive power of storytelling, the tales mix grotesque humor and brutal honesty to illuminate how people cope with fate, desire, and the need for connection.

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21. 21. Die Wilde Geschichte Vom Wassertrinker

    

22. 22. Queen Esther

    

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