Garp does one of my favorite things in literature (when it's done as well as there and in LOTR): Wraps everyone's story up by the end in a sublimely satisfactory way.

When I was very little, we had a (poorly trained and socialized) poodle that terrorized us until it ran away. That left a deep dislike of the breed for me until, as an adult, I made friends with a couple who had poodles and they were... wonderful. Just stupendous dogs.

Who is responsible for us living in the worst timeline? I'd like to lodge a complaint.

I am going on the record as a native white Southerner that "Confederate heritage" is glorifying slavery, Jim Crow, racism, and defiance of the rule of law. Dissenters should examine the articles of succession Southern states passed, which pretty much all state they're seceding to keep slavery.

Great essay!