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Book Review of A Prayer for Owen Meany

A Prayer for Owen Meany
reviewed on + 94 more book reviews


Wow what a great book. I remember seeing Simon Birch which is a movie that was ever so slightly based on this book. The book is much better. Owen is a very small person with a squeaky child like voice that never matures. He thinks he was sent from god to perform a miracle. Some of this based on the fact he was told by his parents that his was a virgin birth. His mom was supposedly a virgin when he was conceived. Owen is a very likable and distinct character but I also grew to like the narrator John. Religion, War, Politics play a vivid role in the narration of this story. I think Irving is a master in literature and I am happy I have been introduced to this talent. It is almost like irving has written his autobiography thru the writings of his life. This one especially. The missing father, New Hampshire, boarding school, Canada are shared by him, his characters and the various works. This is a long book. Even as a paperback and it took some time for me to get engaged. But once I did, I was pulled in and enjoyed the ride. This is literary genius at its best.