A Prayer for Owen Meany

Rating:
Summary: My All Time Favorite Novel
Review: Sometime in early 1993, when I was 14 years old, a friend of my parents had gave me a hardback copy of "A Prayer For Owen Meany" telling me, simply, "I think you'll like this." I shrugged, thanked her and it sat on the coffee table for a few months. That June, when we took a long road trip to Ottawa one weekend, I brought the book along with me simply to have something to distract me while spending about 10 hours in a van that weekend. It didn't take long until I was fully engrossed in the book. I spent much of the 5 hours en route to Ottawa reading, another couple hours that night in the hotel room and there were very few moments during our entire stay in Canada's capital that weekend that I didn't spend in the grips of "Owen Meany." I didn't understand a lot of the religious and political content at the time but I didn't have to. This story had engrossed me so much that it didn't concern me very much that I didn't understand the significance of everything.

I'm recounting these minor events so meticulously because I think that this weekend changed my life in a rather significant way: This is when I learned just how powerful and effective art can be. To many of us, books are just something we busy ourselves with while on a long flight or are forced to read for classes; movies are just something we go to so we can see explosions, animatronic dinosaurs terrorizing a cast of extras, Sharon Stone in soft core sex scenes or Jim Carrey talking - literally - out of his a**; and music is just something we dance to mindlessly or hear in the backgrounds of beer commercials and movie trailers. Literature, film and music fulfill all of these occupations but they can be - and are - so much more as well. Mindless distraction is quite welcome at times but art can also move us, influence us or cause us to reflect on our own lives and it's this that keeps me reading as many books as I can cram into my schedule, going to the movies at least once a week and buying just as many albums than my budget can seriously afford. And the turning point in my experience with art is, of course, "Owen Meany."

Almost exactly 6 years after reading "Owen," I decided to go against my usual policy of not rereading books (a time saving measure) and revisit what I'd been declaring my favorite novel of all time ever since the first reading. Two things influenced my decision. One, I saw Mark Steven Johnson's hideously misguided film adaptation (with the title changed to "Simon Birch" after Irving took as many measures as possible to disassociate the book from the movie) and needed to get the awful feeling of seeing the novel trashed on celluloid out of my head and two, I'd felt that I had changed enough in the past 6 years (well, hopefully) that the experience of "Owen Meany" could be different this time around.

In some ways, it was. I didn't feel the impact of the novel quite as powerfully this time around, but how could I? I can never again be surprised by the plots many twists and revelations as I was the first time through. Not everything is quite the way I remember it. Several minor events in the book that seemed poignant at the time had long since faded from my memory. Owen is still a compelling character but I would hardly describe him as likeable, which is somewhat contrary to how I reacted toward him the first time. I'm not as haunted by some of the books more disturbing images as I was when I was 14. Hester (the Molester) is no longer the quintessential female sex symbol that she was to me at the time, though I consider it an advancement that I'm more attracted to much less destructive people these days. Reading "Owen Meany" this time around was not unlike attending a reunion with a group of friends (albeit a tragic, dysfunctional group of friends) I hadn't seen in years.

But people only read most books once and although there is much to be gained by reading this one multiple times, the real joy of "A Prayer For Owen Meany" comes from experiencing it for the first time, not knowing what to expect (you'll notice that I've avoided plot details this whole time) and this is an experience that would wish on as many people as possible.

Rating:
Summary: An incredible story about true friendship.
Review: I have now read three John Irving novels(Garp, Widow for One Year) and this one has to be the best..It is ruly a riveting story about life's occurences, friendship and how we as humans have the ability to touch people's lives forever...Owen Meany LIVED and will always hold a special place in my heart.

Rating:
Summary: One of my Top Ten books
Review: Beautifully, humanly written story. I was never an Irving fan and couldn't believe he pulled out this story. No bears, no Vienna, only a hint of incest and yet -- a masterpiece (to me anyway). Great book, stick with it.

Rating:
Summary: Armadillo
Review: It's the armadillo, man. The armadillo was cool. The armadillo was real; that chapter was lived, my guess is by Irving himself. The character John didn't know what to value, but Owen Meany knew. The best leaders lead by example. They don't tell people how to be, they just know how they themselves need to be. Sometimes all we can do is watch them in awe, as we continue our lives following. Everyone CAN'T be a leader. That was the miracle of Owen Meany.

Rating:
Summary: Quite possibly the best book I have ever read!
Review: I must admit I have never been a John Irving fan. Somehow his books never took hold of me. Well that certainly changed with "A Prayer for Owen Meany." This book was recommended to me when I was in the U.K. last year. My husband's cousin told me she has never before or after found a book that held. This comment, coupled with a number of friends and colleagues who strongly recommended I read it finally gave me the push.

I laughed hysterically and I cried tears throughout. I simply could not put it down. I dreaded the thought of the book ending.

Was Owen 'God?' I'd like to think so and I would love to have "Owen" as my friend...forever.

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Summary: Has Its Flaws But Owen's Story Is Charming & Haunting
Review: Even though Owen is very small, his character is larger than life, and his story is both tragic and magical. What impressed me most about this book was the way the story ties together so perfectly in the end. It just blew me away! Yes, there are many imperfections in this novel: it's too long, the female characters aren't solid, and if you hate liberals you're going to hate it, but Owen's story reached me in a way that few books ever do. I gave a copy to my mother and she had very much the same reaction.

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Summary: Eight times and counting . . .
Review: Two years ago I wrote a review of this book. Each summer I reread it and still find it the best book I have ever read. My family tires of my quoting passages that relate to all aspects of our lives. I still hear Owen's voice screeching in my head, long after I have put the book down. I tried to locate it in audio books so I could listen to it on a family vacation but was diappointed to find no one has recorded it. What a waste!! THIS BOOK SCREAMS TO BE HEARD!! I only wish I could find the peace that Owen had in his life.

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Summary: John Irving gives us the meaning of the word "miracle"
Review: I hate the word miracle when people use it to discribe why one person is saved from the fated tragedy. Owen Meany is not a miracle because he is a hero, a genius, a person who overcomes adversity, or even a believer. He is a miracle because of the way he affects the lives of those who love him, including the reader. "Owen" the book helps us to evaluate our own beliefs and gives us a wonderful opportunity to connect spiritually with our friends and loved ones. I have had so many wonderful conversations already and I just finished the book last week! Owen reminds us all of the miracle of loving another person and rejoicing in their presence in our lives. Even after they are gone.

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Summary: I will be haunted by this kid for a long time.
Review: I think that we have all known a kid like Owen, someone it would be easy to dislike or pigeon-hole but someone whose force of personality and single-mindedness overcomes all. Owen is in your face in big bold type. I can hear that voice echoing through John's big house in New Hampshire and feel his grandmother cringe even while something smiles inside her.

Rating:
Summary: An unforgettable book filled with unforgettable characters
Review: I had to read a book by John Irving because he was on my reading list. First, I tried The Cider House Rules. I couldn't get into that book at all, so I thought about just skipping a book by Mr. Irving. Then, I heard about Simon Birch coming out, and since it looked like a good movie, I figured that it would be a pretty good book. The book blew me away. Owen Meany is my favorite literary character. Reading about him made me want to have faith and courage like he had. The story of his life and his friendship with John was absolutely heartbreaking. Owen Meany inspired everyone around him. He was a very special person. My only complaint about the book was the anti-Reagan politcal stuff that the older John always talked about. I think that if John Irving had taken those parts out, the book would have had a tighter plot. But, that's just my suggestion. I have only read Owen Meany once, but I guarantee it will not be the last.