A Prayer for Owen Meany
A Novel
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4.4 • 620 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
“A remarkable novel. . . . A Prayer for Owen Meany is a rare creation. ... An amazingly brave piece of work ... so extraordinary, so original, and so enriching. . . . Readers will come to the end feeling sorry to leave [this] richly textured and carefully wrought world.” —STEPHEN KING, Washington Post
I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice—not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death, but because he is the reason I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany.
In the summer of 1953, two eleven-year-old boys—best friends—are playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire. One of the boys hits a foul ball that kills the other boy's mother. The boy who hits the ball doesn't believe in accidents; Owen Meany believes he is God's instrument. What happens to Owen after that 1953 foul ball is extraordinary.
A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
As far as memorable protagonists go, you’d be hard-pressed to find one more unforgettable than Owen Meany. Growing up in mid–20th century New Hampshire, Owen and his best friend, John, could be the heroes of a classic coming-of-age story if it weren’t for one key detail: Owen believes he’s a messenger from God. From this unusual premise, John Irving spins an enchanting freeform story that moves back and forth in time as the adult John wrestles with his faith, while the young John witnesses beautiful, unnerving, and even tragic events that form the basis of Owen’s odd claims. With its exploration of themes surrounding religion and faith, A Prayer for Owen Meany is a book that sweeps you away. More than three decades after it was first published, this parable continues to resonate—and if you like off-kilter characters with a higher purpose, you'll love Owen Meany.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Although he is convincing in his appraisal of the tragedy of Vietnam and in his religious philosophizing, ``Irving's storytelling skills have gone seriously astray in this contrived, preachy, tedious tale of the eponymous Owen Meany, a latter-day prophet and Christ-like figure who dies a martyr after having inspired true Christian belief in the narrator Johnny Wheelwright,'' warned PW . Author tour.
Customer Reviews
Unique & Fascinating!
3.5 stars
A Prayer for Owen Meany is a unique and fascinating literary fiction read. I had a difficult time rating this book, because, although I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and found it captivating, humorous, and thought-provoking, it is bloated. The author could have easily shaved off two hundred pages and made this book not only easier to read but more enjoyable as well. The story itself, however, is unique, multilayered, controversial, and just plain fascinating.
Owen Meany is an adult who has been teased since childhood. He is barely five feet tall and weighs less than one hundred pounds. Although Owen’s voice is strangled and screechy, whenever he speaks, people listen. Owen Meany is brilliant, witty, outspoken, and rebellious. He is also kind, loving and selfless. Owen is an enigma.
Although Owen and John were two very different people, they have been best friends for forever. Owen came from a poor and depressed home where both of his parents were mentally handicapped. John came from a fatherless but loving home, where he lived with his mother and grandmother. Often, imperfect people, are used by God, to influence and teach others, life lessons. Owen was such a person, and he knew what his purpose was.
A Prayer For Owen Meany is a book that will grip your heart, trigger your anger, make you think, laugh out loud and cry. It’s a fascinating book that will leave an imprint on your heart.
What am I missing!
Downloaded this book after reading the reviews. I can't force myself to keep reading . The most boring book I've ever read.
Brutal
I felt compelled to read this after reading all the reviews, and honestly I tried ... I am an avid reader and have read many of the classics but this was a brutal read. One interesting character cannot carry this book in this case. Too much "filler" and not enough substance..I can't drag myself back to read the end .. Feels like a forced read for school that I'll be tested on.