A Prayer for Owen Meany

Rating:
Summary: deeply moving
Review: I am an avid reader and have never been so deeply touched by a fictional character. Irving does a wonderful job of breathing life into Owen Meany. The reader wants to meet Owen, but realizes his soul is too beautiful and fragile for our world. Irving has written many great books; this is probably his finest work.

Rating:
Summary: Worth the second and third time around!
Review: When I first read this book (almost 10 years ago now-it was after an English teacher recommended it. I had just finished Robertson Davies Fifth Business and I loved the way Davies wrote so ...he felt I should try John Irving) I just can not say enough about this book! When I see people on the bus reading it I feel the urge to tap them and ask if they are loving it!It is really odd, everyone I speak to who has read this captivating- heart moving book - they must own it and re read at least once a year. It is one of my most loved books. The friendship and loyalty it reminds me alittle of the book A Seperate Piece- It is just a wonderful little read, one for the bus or a sitting in a big chair when it is raining, or waiting for your food to cook around the camp fire - I loved the whole idea of the Christian undertones the CAPITALIZATION of Owen... Bravo and a Yahoo for this book! Okay it may not be a classic by classic standards but I still think it is worth *****.

Rating:
Summary: All-time favorite
Review: I am an avid reader of many different types of books. I must say that Owen Meany is my favorite all-time story. This was one of the few books that made me laugh out loud, and brought tears to my eyes. I have read it several times, and with each reading, I find a new angle to enjoy. It is a deeply touching story, very compelling.

Rating:
Summary: This book should be read by everyone who knows how to read.
Review: A Prayer For Owen Meany educates us on so many levels, simultaneously, with each reading. Along with Cider House Rules and the Bible (OK, so maybe that's not quite accurate) They are two of the most entertaining, thought-proking, and important books ever written. Along with Little Dorrit by Dickens, Prayer for Owen Meany is the single-most impressive multilayered novel about the struggles of being human ever written.

Rating:
Summary: Not just a good novel - a great novel!
Review: The Modern Library recently released the top 100 works of fiction in the English language of the 20th century. Well, one of those works will have to be removed because 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' is not only one of the best novels of the 1990s, but, easily is and will be one of the top 100 of this century. John Irving has created perhaps the greatest character in modern literature - Owen Meany. The metaphorical mix of religion and childhood is simply astounding. An absolute 'must read'!

Rating:
Summary: A Prayer for this book to end.
Review: While I appreciate the carnival atmosphere that John Irving loves to portray in his storytelling, it wasn't enough to save Owen Meany for me. After all the hype surrounding this story, I was expecting something a little more entertaining and a little less preachy. Throughout the book I felt as if Irving were trying to convince the reader to believe in a story that wasn't believable. And with over six hundred pages to convince me, the only thing I began to believe was that the book was not worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: This book forces you to search your soul for your own truths
Review: A Prayer For Owen Meany is one I will never forget and will always cherish. I have read it once a year now for the past seven years and each time I laugh and cry until I feel sick. Everytime I read it, the end always tears me apart. ... Irving perfectly captures the image--physical and spiritual, of Owen. I am able to visualize what he looks like and I can even "hear" his voice. Each time I read the book I learn something new about life and fate and how each of us has a purpose and a reason for being alive. This book has pulled me up several times and it will continue to do so until the day I die. It definitely makes me think long and hard about the life I lead. Bravo to Irving. I look forward to reading other books of his

Rating:
Summary: Worth Sticking It Out
Review: This book is a little long, but I was amazed by how much changed in the last 100 pages. My expectations and assumptions were blown away as the book became even more bizarre in the end than I had expected. At least five strangers stopped me when they saw me reading it and said that it was a "good book," but only one of them had actually stuck it out to the end. I recommend that you try.

Rating:
Summary: The Book Provides Lots of Food for Thought
Review: I found this book to be a terrific creation., an achievement to marvel at. Actually, I dragged the book around with me for 2 to 3 months trying to finish it. The book was always stimulating and amusing, but I'm a slow reader and I couldn't see where the book was heading and I knew payoff was hundreds of pages away, so I persevered slowly. I especially enjoyed all the thought-provoking ruminations throughout the book concerning religion, literature, and politics

Rating:
Summary: I played thur all emotions while reading this book.
Review: I've read this book 4 times and always come out with something new I missed from before. Mr.Iriving catches the feeling of childhood and makes you remeber what it was like. We have a little Owen in us all, thank God. Tricia Doran