Excellent novel!! The novel is very profound -- touching on religion, politics, friendship, and fate. It took me some time to get through the book (it was long and sometimes tedious) and sometimes Irving's style bothered me - he likes to jump around a lot -- from Owen's and Johnny's childhood to the late 80's and back. The OWEN character is unforgettable with his extraordinary perception and VOICE. The novel takes you on a rollercoaster of emotion from humor to moments of sadness. The Vietnam War and the politics of Reagan are also key to the novel (I wonder what Irving thinks of the current situation in Iraq ?!). Overall, I would highly recommend this book -- it's well worth the time investment to read. I have read a few other Irving novels including "The Cider House Rules" (which was wonderful) and "The Hotel New Hampshire" (which I thought was so-so). I'll be reading more Irving in the future.

Could not finish. Has a tedious beginning with poorly developed characters. I set it down, picked up another book, and did not go back.

"Owen Meany,the only child of a New Hampshire granite quarrier, believes he is God's instrument: he is. This is John Irving's most comic novel; yet Owen Meany is Mr. Irving's most heartbreaking character."

For once the back cover gets it 100% right...this is one of the five most beautiful books I have ever read...as I got to the end of it I was counting the pages, hoping more would magically appear, and hoping that the inevitable would not happen. They didn't, and it did, but the book is still magnificent. If you need a booster shot for your faith in humanity, this is it!

A superlative book. Set during the Vietnam War era, it transcends that period and establishes John Irving as a major modern writer. If you don't read another book this year, you owe it to yourself to read this one.

This was my first Irving book and at first it seemed a huge undertaking and a bit confusing, but he kept the pace up so the confused parts went by fast and eventually I understood his line of thinking and writing and ended up LOVING this book.

It is part mystery, part good ol' "back in the good old days" story-telling, with some comedy and some [just a little bit over the top] political "down memory lane" sections, thrown in for good measure.

All in all you end up wishing the book wouldn't end and amazed at his writing skills. I wished I'd discovered him [Irving] sooner.

One of the best books I've ever read. Owen Meany is an amazing old soul and an amazing boy. This book is one of few that has made me laugh out loud...as well as cry at the end.

I enjoyed this book very much for its touching and funny moments and have bought this book as a gift for friends in the past because it was such a memorable read.

Owen Meany speaks in CAPITAL LETTERS and so does this book. Though dated to the Reagan/Contra era, the book is still interesting and engaging twenty years later. Like many of John Irving's novels, things always seem a little off-center until the plot is resolved clearly and brilliantly. Both Owen, and his narrator, John Wheelwright, are complex, three-dimensional characters with powerful messages to deliver. Well worth reading.

One of my all time favorite books. I decided to read it after I heard John Irving himself read from the book, and am so glad that I did!

Predictably unpredictable John Irving at his best. The characters and story have stayed with me for years.

Read All Book Reviews of "A Prayer for Owen Meany"

One of the best books ever. You just cannot put this down....

The youthful friendship between two boys in a small New Hampshire town extends through their lives as they grow up in the Viet Nam era.

Rich and complex, Owen Meany is a wonderfully fulfilling read! This book would be an excellent choice for a book club.

My absolute FAVORITE book. Irving writes always with a hidden meaning and this book will test your faith in god and reality.

I had to read this for class in high school. Slightly inappropriate, but an alright book. This copy has some penciled notes periodically throughout the text because I had to write journal entries.

This is probably my favorite book of all time. It was hard to get through, but that made it worth it to me.

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving



"I trust in God because of Owen Meany." -Johnny

Owen is the best friend Johnny could ask for. He's small. He's strange. He has an odd voice. And he killed Johnny's mother...

This amazing story of friendship sweeps the reader up in it's sentimentality and mysteriousness. The vastness of this novel is so overwhelmingly powerful that it is hard to find words to describe it's depth. Johnny and Owen are so deeply connected that the emotion in the book is almost palpable.

John Irving's effective use of foreshadowing and strong political references weave in and out of this friendship story to create a final scene so heartbreakingly surprising as to leave the reader almost breathless.

This book might not be for everybody, but nobody who finishes this novel will be left without feeling.
__________________________________

My favorite quote from the novel which, in a way, epitomizes what the whole book is about:

"I want to go on being a student," I told him. "I want to be a teacher. I'm just a reader," I said.
"DON'T SOUND SO ASHAMED," he said. "READING IS A GIFT."
"I learned it from you," I told him.
"IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU LEARNED IT- IT'S A GIFT. IF YOU CARE ABOUT SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO PROTECT IT- IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND A WAY OF LIFE YOU LOVE, YOU HAVE TO FIND THE COURAGE TO LIVE IT."

This wasn't one of my favorite reads. In order to enjoy a story, I have to find characters I like, admire, or just feel compassion for. I found none of these qualities in any of the characters. I didn't like Owen Meany at all. After hearing other comments from the Book Club I understand why they did like it but I still didn't.

This story will tug at your heart strings. A MUST read! John Irving weaves a special and moving tale of little boy. Wonderful!

I've read most all of John Irvings books and this is one of his best. Have even watched the movie 2 or 3 times, and I rarely want to see a movie after I've read the room.

Read All Book Reviews of "A Prayer for Owen Meany"