Rating: 
Summary: No way else to say it
Review: About three months have passed since I "actually" read Irving's best book, and my favorite piece of literature among the many out there. I must quote "actually" for the simple reason that I am never not reading this book; I am always re-reading my favorite passages. I don't think there is any other way to describe the magnitude and quality of this book than to explain the effect it had on me:As Johnny Wheelwright said, "What faith I have I owe to Owen Meany, a boy I grew up with. It is Owen who made me a believer." Owen was Johnny's hero, just as John Irving is my hero. I am a believer because of John Irving's finest work. Perhaps I was delirous the night I finished Owen Meany--certainly I was sick. Nevertheless, I became convinced that my life had some meaning just as Owen's short life carried so much meaning in this book. I've never met a character that has caused me to reexamine my own life in such a way (and I must say that I have "met" Owen Meany, for after reading this book, I am certain I know him as well as John Wheelwright does himself); I've never been exposed to work that has changed the way I view the world and, more momentously, work that has altered my religous beliefs. John is a Christian because of Owen Meany. I, however, well--I am an Irvingist, now and forever. Or perhaps a Meaniest. I haven't decided what to call my new religion. You choose. Once you read this book, I don't see how you can remain anything but an Irving fan. This book has changed my life. It will change yours as well. Cry, laugh: follow the path woven by this magnificent author as he spins for you a tale that will change your life, as it must have changed the life of every other reader. A piece of advice--keep a highlighter handy. You'll want to mark those notable quotes and passages for easy access. They inspire, they instruct, and most of all, the best of the best lines of a A Prayer for Owen Meany describe life.
A few examples:
"A part of knowing everything IS remembering everything."
"A STORY MUST BE EXCEPTIONAL ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY ITS TELLING."
"Watch out for people who call themselves religous; make sure you know what they mean--make sure THEY know what they mean!" A Prayer for Owen Meany makes for great Day Quotes!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed in a repetitive story
Review: Friends at work raved about this book. Having read other books by John Irving (Hotel New Hampshire, World According to Garp) and enjoying other books these friends had recommended, I thought it might be interesting. Irving's style wasn't exactly what I normally read, but the books of his I'd read so far certainly had interesting stories. Unfortunately, A Prayer for Owen Meany struck me as repetitive. The same plot points were repeated several times. There were a few sections that were interesting and/or funny. I kept reading, hoping that the story would pick up, or, at least, stop repeating, but it never happened. I kept going, based on the recommendations. After reading about half of the book, I just had to stop. I decided I'd rather spend what little time I have to read recreationally reading a more interesting book.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Read and Endearing Characters
Review: Although it has been a few years since I have read this I was shocked to see one person give this book such a low rating. I began reading this book while on a retreat and found myself wanting to do nothing else but read. I loved the character of Owen and his friend. It told so much of friendship and of strength of character. I would recommend this to anyone!
Rating:
Summary: Cute,
Review: Heartlessness masked by a style overflowing with feeling. Just more Dung from the Church of the heart. Bring wet one's when you go to read this because you will get all sticky.One of the more pathetic book's I have ever read.I need a prayer for me now, to get the bad taste out of my mouth...
Rating:
Summary: A Prayer for Owen Meany
Review: I highly recommend this book to anyone! Before I read this, I never really had a favorite book. John Irving is brilliant! I was required to read a book from a list of authors for English, and I thought the assignment would be boring like most usually are. But Owen Meany is fabulous! It was unpredictable, entertaining, and hilarious! There was so much symbolism and irony, I've never had so much fun reading a book before! I will definately read another of John Irving's books.
Rating: 
Summary: Owen was a revelation!
Review: We thought that overall this book was very engaging and we've have given it an average of 4 out of 5. Although it was not a difficult book to read, one of us best described it as "chewy" since it isn't a fast read.
Many of us were amazed at Irving's descriptive abilities. Each character is developed so completely it is almost as if you've known them your whole life. Although the main character is Owen Meany, the author doesn't leave out detailed descriptions of any of the supporting characters. Some of us thought the reflections of John's current life found throughout the story were boring and a detriment to the book; others thought it gave the story breadth.
Another of the author's special touches was the foreshadowing. Strangely enough, he would explicitly tell you what was going to happen--though not the details around it--saying "...but you'll find out about that later on.." but it wasn't until much later that you realized how significant the event was and that he'd already told you it was going to happen.
We found the most surprising thing about Owen was not his size, or his voice but the control he has over just about everyone in the town. He tells his parents what to do, completely takes over a Christmas pageant (in the process nearly redefining a whole religion) and can seemingly levitate a car up a winding flight of stairs.
We also found that it wasn't until the last 30 pages of the book that all the questions that came up throughout the book were fully answered. Some of us liked this but others felt Irving waited too long to put the pieces together. Since part of our discussion centered around the purpose of the characters of John and John's mother in the story and what role they may have played in Owen's life (perhaps John may have been intended to be the father figure of "the baby Jesus"?), we appreciated that the ending was vague enough to allow the reader to come to their own conclusion as to whether Owen Meany was just a regular child that believed he was the hands of God, or the real thing--a genuine prophet--with the whole purpose of his life to fulfill the task God had set him.
In general, we felt we would definitely recommend the book to those that have some time to savour everything this book has to offer: great descriptions, good humour and some thought-provoking subjects.
Rating:
Summary: Owen was a revelation!
Review: The Page Turners report that overall this book is very engaging and have given it an average of 4 out of 5. Although it was not a difficult book to read, one of us best described it as "chewy" since it isn't a fast read.
Many of us were amazed at Irving's descriptive abilities. Each character is developed so completely it is almost as if you've known them your whole life. Although the main character is Owen Meany, the author doesn't leave out detailed descriptions of any of the supporting characters. Some of us thought the reflections of John's current life found throughout the story were boring and a detriment to the book; others thought it gave the story breadth.
Another of the author's special touches was the foreshadowing. Strangely enough, he would explicitly tell you what was going to happen--though not the details around it--saying "...but you'll find out about that later on.." but it wasn't until much later that you realized how significant the event was and that he'd already told you it was going to happen.
We found the most surprising thing about Owen was not his size, or his voice but the control he has over just about everyone in the town. He tells his parents what to do, completely takes over a Christmas pageant (in the process nearly redefining a whole religion) and can seemingly levitate a car up a winding flight of stairs.
We also found that it wasn't until the last 30 pages of the book that all the questions that came up throughout the book were fully answered. Some of us liked this but others felt Irving waited too long to put the pieces together. Since part of our discussion centered around the purpose of the characters of John and John's mother in the story and what role they may have played in Owen's life (perhaps John may have been intended to be the father figure of "the baby Jesus"?), we appreciated that the ending was vague enough to allow the reader to come to their own conclusion as to whether Owen Meany was just a regular child that believed he was the hands of God, or the real thing--a genuine prophet--with the whole purpose of his life to fulfill the task God had set him.
In general, we felt we would definitely recommend the book to those that have some time to savour everything this book has to offer: great descriptions, good humour and some thought-provoking subjects.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational, Irving's Best Work
Review: After a slow start, this novel will take you places few others will: this book is both inspirational and luagh out loud funny. You will not regret an investment of your time here, especially if you cared for other Irving works. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: What. . .Only 4 stars!
Review: I suppose with over 700 reviews there is not much more that can be said about this book. It's interesting to note that many of the reviewers thought that this was the best book that they ever read. I would agree that it is a strong effort. The characters are most enjoyable and the writing is outstanding. . .very witty. If possible, I would have given the book 4.5 stars, however there are a few things that annoyed me slightly. Be prepared to endure (or enjoy) the author's political views regarding the Reagan administration of which Irving is obviously not a fan. In addition, the over abundant use of foreshadowing removes most of the potential surprises for the careful reader. Nevertheless, this book is a unique and pleasurable reading experience.
Rating:
Summary: Moving, Entertaining, Hopeful
Review: I read this book several years ago. I fondly remember it as the best mass-market popular novel I have ever read. I have read two others by Irving, Garp and Hotel New Hampshire, and this book is far superior to either of them. I have no desire to read any of Irving's newer books because his (loud) political agendas now get in my way. But if you want to read a wonderful, wonderful book, A Prayer for Owen Meany is one.
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