The Great Read: The World According to John Irving
The literary titan is still publishing books, and still pushing envelopes, at 83. But you will not see him in the United States anytime soon.
The New York Times
The Great Read

November 3, 2025, 2:01 p.m. Eastern time

On weekdays and Sundays, we recommend one piece of exceptional writing from The Times — a narrative or essay that takes you someplace you might not expect to go.

John Irving looks directly forward, one hand with a ring touching his chin. A city landscape is visible through a large window.

Kyle Berger for The New York Times

The World According to John Irving

The literary titan is still publishing books, and still pushing envelopes, at 83. But you will not see him in the United States anytime soon.

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