ENG 415 - John Irving

Semester Hours: 4

John Irving is one of the foremost contemporary American novelists. His work is most notable for its serio-comic look at the human condition; his style can be characterized as episodic or scenic. His novels, several of which have indeed been adapted for films, often read like movie screenplays. His humor often skirts the boundaries of taste and decorum, but he never seems to fail to make his readers laugh-and also cry. This seminar will examine several of Irving’s novels, including The World According to Garp, A Prayer for Owen Meany, and The Hotel New Hampshire using a variety of critical approaches.