Prayer for Owen Meany

This is my favorite book of all time. I am a huge John Irving fan, which is odd considering this novel is so different than anything he's ever written. It contains little to no sexuality, or psychosexuality, and is much more understated than The Hotel New Hampshire or The Cider House Rules. That said, it still contains the qualities of a great American epic, which most of Irving's novels...more

This is my favorite book of all time. I am a huge John Irving fan, which is odd considering this novel is so different than anything he's ever written. It contains little to no sexuality, or psychosexuality, and is much more understated than The Hotel New Hampshire or The Cider House Rules. That said, it still contains the qualities of a great American epic, which most of Irving's novels contain. This book is funny, moving, and quite profound. I don't go to church myself nor do I believe in God. Irving says he only believes in God when he really needs to. However, Irving stretches outside his comfort zone, presenting an amazing character, story, and novel, to the world.   hide

Wonderful book; funny and touching. The Christmas pageant sequence is one of my favorite scenes in any book ever; had me laughing out loud in the middle of the airport as I was reading it.

This book is engrossing and heartfelt. Take whatever belief you have and magnify it by 1000, that's what this book gives you. A hopefully devoted belief that what you are doing is right, that everything you do in this world is right and has a purpose. Owen Meany may not have been big in stature, but he was big in heart, his belief is what propelled him to be the person he was and the hero he...more

This book is engrossing and heartfelt. Take whatever belief you have and magnify it by 1000, that's what this book gives you. A hopefully devoted belief that what you are doing is right, that everything you do in this world is right and has a purpose. Owen Meany may not have been big in stature, but he was big in heart, his belief is what propelled him to be the person he was and the hero he became at the end. This book was one of the best books I have ever read and although Irving takes the idea of using crazy things to make a point and a story, he does it with the firm belief that this world is just a little crazy and maybe a novel that seems so out there, really isn't out there. READ IT!   hide

Owen. RIP.

This novel is John Irving's best. He has REALLY lost it in the last decade; The Fourth Hand and Until I See You Again or whatever it was called were really tedious reads. But the world created in Owen Meany is one that you'll be sad to read. The plot is terrific and all the threads are sewn together splendidly at the end . It's hard to believe that such a simple technique as having the title...more

This novel is John Irving's best. He has REALLY lost it in the last decade; The Fourth Hand and Until I See You Again or whatever it was called were really tedious reads. But the world created in Owen Meany is one that you'll be sad to read. The plot is terrific and all the threads are sewn together splendidly at the end . It's hard to believe that such a simple technique as having the title character speak IN CAPITALS could be so effective. I'm always buying this novel for top students and people I like. My favourite novel of all time. Read it and be changed. Or at least highly entertained.   hide

Well, what can I say? For me, Irving improved to this point, but with subsequent noveld has gone off the boil. This really is the pinnacle of his writing career for me - every character is credible, the settings believable and the accent of the novel is spot on. So much better than 'The World according to Garp' and better even than 'The Cider house Rules', which was another corker from Irving....more

Well, what can I say? For me, Irving improved to this point, but with subsequent noveld has gone off the boil. This really is the pinnacle of his writing career for me - every character is credible, the settings believable and the accent of the novel is spot on. So much better than 'The World according to Garp' and better even than 'The Cider house Rules', which was another corker from Irving. Take it on holiday, read it on the beach and weep unashamedly in front of so many people you don't know - you may only read 5 books this good in a lifetime, so enjoy it while you can.   hide

Although somewhat awkward and long winded at times, this novel is a truly great epic about a young boy coming to terms with something that we all wish we could have, knowing the truth about our existence and our destiny. Very well written, pulls on the heart strings and has a truly beautiful message. Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany" is an excellent example of modern literature following a...more

Although somewhat awkward and long winded at times, this novel is a truly great epic about a young boy coming to terms with something that we all wish we could have, knowing the truth about our existence and our destiny. Very well written, pulls on the heart strings and has a truly beautiful message. Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany" is an excellent example of modern literature following a classical approach. Irving has taken the strongest aspects out of previous writers and used their skills to convey a moral epic whilst appealing to all readers. Slightly tedious and long winded at times, Irving paints a strong portrait, creating very believable and enjoyable characters.   hide

The story of two boys growing up in New England, told from the perspective of the friend all about the remarkable Owen Meany who believes he is God's instrument. Wiki says it's a story of "journeys on an extraordinary path of death, birth, love, disclosure and sacrifice." I couldn't settle on reading anything else for weeks afterwards, it was that good.

This is simply a great book, and from a political standpoint, it relfected my thoughts and feelings during the Vietnam years.