Rating: 
Summary: A book that takes patience will always reward you
Review: The above is my motto for any John Irving book. This book is going to take you awhile to read. It took me about a month and usually I have very low patience for books like that. But trust me and everyone else who has written a positive review of 'Owen'. The benefits are many. 'Owen Meany' is a story of two best friends and their journey through life and death. One is Johnny Wheelwright whose mother has the 'best breasts in town' according to his best friend Owen Meany, who believes he is God's insturment. And he is. He is the insturment of the death of Johnny's mother. He sees a vision of how he will die and the exact date. There are many mysterious things about Owen Meany and some of those things go unanswered. The story is touching and steeped deep in themes of religion. This book is known as Irving's most comedic novel, but Owen Meany is his most heartbreaking character. When I read this, I wished it would go on forever, but everything must come to an end. Owen may know when he is going to die but he does not know the effect he fully had on everyone who knew him. And everyone who reads it will remember the last line of this amazing book: 'O God - please give him back. I shall keep asking you'. Owen changed their lives and he will change yours.
Rating:
Summary: a prayer...
Review: a prayer is exactly what this book warrants... i am not religious myself at all, nor is this a book that i would normally read, but i have read it and all i can say is, "wow."i admit i had a hard time starting the book. it was on the required summer reading list for my ap literature class, and i had no great enthusiasm in reading it at all; especially when i noticed how long it is. the beginning was hard for me to get used to, and i really had my doubts about finishing the book. but i kept reading, and now that i am nearly finished with the book i am happy that i decided to actually read it rather than get notes from my friends. it certainly picks up great speed, in my opinion, starting in the third chapter. the style of writing is so unique and original that it rivets your attention whether you can appreciate the subject matter or not. the story itself is so heartfelt and personal, that when i stop reading for the night i can't help but wonder how the people are doing now, or if they're even still alive. this is certainly a very powerful piece of literature, and i would most definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good read and has an appreciation for the more stylistic aspect to literature. a prayer for owen meany will occupy your mind - and your heart.
Rating:
Summary: Quite simply...A PERFECT NOVEL.
Review: If you are waivering on whether to read this or not, stop now. Just read it. This is one of the most perfect pieces of writing I have ever experienced. Wonderful blend of tragedy and humor. I savored and enjoyed every page of this book and was pleasantly surprised that the ending was more satisfying than I could have ever imagined.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've ever read.
Review: Great Book. I tend to read sci-fi, fantasy and... like that, but I list this in the top three books I've ever read. There's a good chance that it's really the best book I've ever read, but I can't really put a final decision on that. If it helps, it's vying with "Prince of Tides" by Pat Conroy. These characters are amazing. The plot is excellent. You will shed tears for Owen Meany! (Don't make any judgements if you've only seen the Simon Birch movie. It's a good flick in it's own right, but it's loosely based, and should not be considered as a factor prior to reading this book.)
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Literary Character
Review: After finishing this novel, the reader is enlightened of how faith in him or herself can influence the life of others. The text is complete, satisfying, and requires a commitment from the reader to have faith and let the story play out the plot. At first, the novel does not seem to have a purpose, but that is where Owen begins to influence the emotions of the reader. Owen Meany does not believe in coincidence or chance; everything has a plan and purpose.
Rating:
Summary: Irving's best
Review: I always tend to be a bit discouraged when I read the amount of literary knowledge that goes into some other people's reviews. Sometimes, it makes you feel a little bad about loving a book. I've read every novel by Irving and this is my favorite one. I remember reading it in literally one go and I remember loving it because everything fits together perfectly. Usually, I like a lot of things to happen in my books, and this is arguably Irving's book with the least hoopla. But I loved the characters, the plot, the storytelling and the deeper meaning and this made me love the book so much that I didn't care much for the elaborate reviews, even if they're probably right from a strictly "scientific" point of view.
Rating:
Summary: A Prayer for Owen Meany
Review: I bought this book because I noticed it was on the recommended reading list of several schools (high school and universities) in my area. I figured it would be a light summer read. Well...I think it was one of the best..if not the best..book I have ever read. I laughed, I cried, and when it was over I passed it on to 3 people. Now I'm desperately waiting for them to finish it so I can have someone to talk to and discuss everything about the book. It was very thought provoking. I don't want to give any of it away to someone who hasn't read it....just do it now! : )
Rating: 
Summary: A moving story about fate and friendship
Review: I have only read a few of Irving's many books, and found this one to be the best by far. In fact, I did not enjoy The World According to Garp at all, while The Cider House Rules was good, but not exceptional. A Prayer for Owen Meany tells the story of the friendship between two men (one of whom is the tiny, unforgettable Owen Meany of the title), from their childhood to when their friendship is brutally cut short by a deed of heroism for which they had unknowingly been preparing for years. It builds up to a strong, sad conclusion which could easily have become soppy or contrived, but Irving manages to avoid these pitfalls. A book which I can unhesitatingly recommend even to non-devotees of John Irving.
Rating:
Summary: outrageous humor
Review: owen meany is the kid you knew in grade school who refused to leave you alone until you let him play with you (get your mind out of the gutter). his voice was annoying, his persistence indestructible. he could debate you into submission because he was smart as heck. there are episodes in owen meany's life that are absolutely hysterical. the scene at the christmas pageant is one that i will never forget (an opinion that is shared by my friends who have read this book as well). reading "a prayer for owen meany" is an extremely rewarding experience that will give you the urge to read it again. and, most likely, you will.
Rating:
Summary: A book that will never leave you
Review: Never have I read a book that tugged on so many emotions. The most astounding and beautifully written work of fiction I have found. Irving's character description is incredibly in-depth. Compelling and thought-provoking themes are wonderfully related through childhood events as viewed 'hind-sight' by a man so affected by his relationship with Owen Meany that his admiration is almost obsessive. A+ book. Irving has become one of my favorite writers.
| 
