Rating: 
Summary: If you love Owen, you've gotta know about this!
Review: If you were as disgusted by "Simon Birch" as I was then you must think that Owen Meany is forever limited to the page. Not so.There is a theatre company in Seattle called Book-It Repertory Theatre and they adapt literature into theatre. They are currently showing the Christmas Pageant chapters Dec. 3 through the 23rd. This show not only blew me away, but also got me thinking about how litereature and theatre have been so separate. Book-It brings them together beautifully. Chapters 4 and 5 bring to light the fact that Christmas can truly be a season of sadness and joy. Reread these chapters and you'll agree.
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Summary: Irving's best
Review: Coincidence is important in John Irving's books, whether it's being parked in the driveway at the wrong time, or finally connecting with that baseball and killing your best friend's mother. Usually I find these plot elements disconcerting, but I must say I was completely swept up with Owen Meany. I love Irving's use of words and Owen gives him a wonderful vehicle to use this gift. I can hear Owen's voice whenever I read the book, and I have read it several times. I will always remember Owen's description of Johnny Wheelwright's grandmother "screaming like a banshee". This is a story about a boy with faith so strong he allows it to kill him. But he accepts his fate because he knows he exists for one higher purpose and he accomplishes it. I feel a strange sympathy with Johnny and losing Owen is like losing my best friend as well. I have re-read this book just to laugh. The humor is wonderful! I always tell myself I'm going to stop before the story turns sad, but I never can. I can't help myself.
Rating: 
Summary: A boring book....
Review: If you like Irving's books, please read The World According to Garp or Cider House Rules. Owen Meany is not worth your time. It's tedious. I know that some people have called this a challenging read. It's only challenging because it bores the reader to tears. Skip A Prayer for Owen Meany. John Irving has definitely written better books.
Rating:
Summary: The Most Amazing Novel You Will Ever Read
Review: Wow. I have just completed this captivating story, so my thoughts are flowing freely. Here they are: The choice of achronological narration, first of all, is genius. How else does a story, when supposedly coming directly from the narrator's memory, get properly executed? As the reader goes along, s/he is taken back and forth between Johnny Wheelright's current life and his past. At first, not much is said about Johnny as he is "now," but towards the endof the novel, more frequently the reader hears from the 1987 John. This type of narration fits perfectly and creates the feeling of one going about his life, reminiscing, when the thoughts are enduced, of his childhood and his remarkable, annoying yet lovable and respected friend, Owen Meany. one other quick comment is the element of surprise. John Irving tells the reader EVERYTHING upfront, in a way. The reader, like Owen, thinks they know everything. Due to what Irving chooses to tell him/her, through the narrator, s/he can only guess at the true outcome of that particular aspect of the novel. When that aspect unravels, not in johnny's memory but in action, doubt, like Owen's doubt, creeps in. You simply must read this novel to know what I mean, otherwise, these last comments make NO sense, nor should they unless one has read the novel. Just know that this handiwork completed by Irving is amazing,and you should pick it up, for it is the most amazing novel you will ever read.
Rating:
Summary: John Irving's finest!
Review: The funniest, saddest, and most profound book I have ever read! I laughed, I cried, I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! I have read this book again and again, and each time I marvel at the talent of Mr. Irving.
Rating:
Summary: Yes, Yes, but.....
Review: Yes, yes, we all agree that Owen is a great character. Yes, it makes you think, cry, and it makes you wonder and wonder about the wonder of life and destiny. When it gets right down to it though, I've read this book so many times for one reason; It's hilarious. John Irving creates wonderful characters, and the way they react to each other is fantastic. I can't tell you how many times I've been caught laughing, alone in a rooms full of people, at the way these people react to one another. Read it, but don't read it in public, unless you want people to wonder what what the hell you're laughing about. (By the way, people always compare Irving to Dickens, but I think Steinbeck with humor is more accurate - with a twist of John Gardner)
Rating:
Summary: Great book - Character of Owen is original.
Review: I greatly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes a great story. The character of Owen Meany is original. What is special is that you get an idea of who Owen is yet there is a lot left unknown. Even his best friend Johnny Wheelwright does not have a firm grasp of Owen. However, both the Johnny and the reader learn to trust the FAITH that Owen taught Johnny was necessary in this life. The highest praise I can give "A Prayer for Owen Meany" is the fact that I did not want to finish the book. This is a story I wish could go on and on.
Rating:
Summary: John Irving's Masterpiece
Review: This was the first novel from John Irving that I've read on the advice of my CFO (The World According to Garp was my second and I am on The Cider House Rules) and since then I have become Irving's number one fan. The book was so well written and the plot was so intricately done that even though the end was predicable it did not take anything away from the novel-if anything, it made you want to read on to find out how everything unfolds. If I could, I would give it more than five stars.
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Summary: Irving's Worst Novel: Read Eveything Else but This
Review: This novel is tedious, redundant, and utterly boring. Irving is one of my favorite writers of all time: Cider House Rules is by far his best with interesting characters and profound social commentary. Hotel New Hampshire and World According to Garp are incredible. A Widow for One Year is astoundingly well done and very entertaining. This one blows!
Rating:
Summary: A Standing Ovation
Review: When I finished OWEN MEANY, I put the book on my table, then stood up and applauded. I gave it a standing ovation. Yes, I was the only one in the room, but if ever a book deserved it, it is this one. Read it!
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