Rating: 
Summary: Mean to women but it shines in depiction of selfless love
Review: OK, first the bad stuff. As in Garp, John Irving wants women to be either sluts or saints. Cousin Hester lives with Owen in a relationship that is never fully clarified, and she carries on his memory in her rock videos by living up to the name given to her by her brothers: Hester the Molester. Well, that's one female character. The other one, Joe's mother, is admittedly a mixture of the two extremes, but she is only described from a distance, mostly after her death, and it's not clear who she really was. The good: this is a very poweful, funny, creepy and deeply moving book. I'm not big on stories about religious figures nor am I fond of prep schools, but Irving brings both these elements to life. I was trying to describe this book in the briefest way to a friend and I broke down when I thought of the ending. Like the narrator, I will never forget Owen.
Rating: 
Summary: "O God - please give him back! I shall keep asking You."
Review: When a friend recommended the book to me, saying that it had made him laugh and cry, I gave him a look much like the ones Owen Meany often gave to Johnny; one of "mild pity and mild contempt". Not only did I laugh and cry, I cried twice. Real tears. I came away from the book thinking, hard, about miracles. About faith. About coincidence. I didn't like the character of Owen Meany in the beginning of the book. John Irving's skillful writing made of Owen an unlikely main character, full of flaws, full of ideas, full of life... I finally realized: who could not love Owen? This book was fabulous, and when everything came together at the end, it was in such a way that was both traumatic and triumphant. There should be more Owen Meanys in the world!
Rating:
Summary: My favourite book ever
Review: Owen Meany rocks, and I think everyone should read this novel. I laughed out loud every time he opened his mouth. I first bought this book when I heard that Hollywood was making a movie, I was determined to finish the book before the film came out because in my mind, the books are always better. I can honestly say that I will not be viewing the film, even if John Irving himself has given his blessing. The fact that someone has the audacity to try and make this wonderful novel into a movie gives me the shivers. I had finished the first 500 pages before I set out on a cross-country road trip last week with my friend. She insisted that I read the last 100 pages out loud to her even though she had no idea what the novel was about. I did, and I explained things to the best of my ability as they came up. I love that the book came full circle! Many times I had to stop reading because I was crying so hard. My friend still hadn't attached herself to Owen like I had, but by the very last sentence we had to pull over because she too was sobbing uncontrollably.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've read
Review: It's really hard to describe. This has really been a significant book for me . . . the role of Owen and all those who experience him in their lives, his perceived being as "an instrument of God", the twists and turns of the story. It is an investment in time in reading, but time well spent. Irving has as much skill as any one in the development of some of the characters he has portrayed, in particular Owen. The religious overtones of this book should make you think and feel more about your own faith, as well as God's intentions for your life on this earth and especially the peoples lives that you touch.
Rating:
Summary: This is a very touch book about friendships and diversity
Review: This book teach us about friendship above all costs. Even the death of a parent could not break the bond that was formed between the two boys. Although Owen is discribe to be different every one can relate to the little boy. Owen repestents everyones insecuries the only difference is that we can hide our difference but Owen's difference were appearent as soon as one looks and hears his voice. The question I asked my self thought out the whole book was could I befriend Owen as a child? Not only because of his physical appearence but because of his thought process. It seems to me that he was an adult before his time that he was an old man traped in a miniture size body. I enjoyed this book extremly and can say that this one of the only books that I have read more that once.
Rating:
Summary: Mysteriously draws the reader in.
Review: I started reading this book and at first I didn't think I would be that interested in it and even though action was low, it managed to keep my attention. The first page is what did it. It just suckered me in and I found myself not able to put it down and finished it feeling a wide variety of emotions but just at peace. Wonderful, wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: AHHH READ THIS BOOK!!! READ THIS BOOK!!! READ THIS BOOK
Review: LIKE OWEN MEANY, ALWAYS IN CAPS, THIS BOOK IS SITTING AT MY NUMBER ONE LITERARY SPOT WITH THE EVERLASTING OF MICE AND MEN...NOW OWEN MEANY IS WITH IT...THE BEST CHARACTERS IN A NOVEL I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED AND IT IS THE ONLY NOVEL I HAVE EVER READ TO HAVE CHANGED A DEGREE IN MY LINE OF THINKING...HONEST! THIS NOVEL OPENED OR CREATED...I AM NOT SURE TO WHICH...A NEW RESPECT FOR PEOPLE...I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE POWER WITHIN THE NOVEL!!! I CAN ALMOST PROMIS YOU THAT YOU WILL LOVE THIS...AND PLEASE READ THE BOOK BEFORE YOU SEE THE HORRID SIMON BIRCH FILM FROM WHICH IT IS BASED...HEY! SIMON BIRCH MIGHT TURN OUT TO BE A GREAT MOVIE THAT WINS OSCARS LIKE PRIVATE RYAN, BUT IT WILL NEVER COMPARE TO OWEN MEANY...READ IT!!! YOU WILL, AT LEAST, UNDERSTAND THE REAL REASON I AM WRITING IN CAPITALS... GOD, THANK YOU JOHN FOR SUCH A GREAT BOOK...!!! HAPPEN TOLL ANY QUESITONS ABOUT THE NOVEL...I CAN ANSWER THEM...E-MAIL ME!!!
Rating:
Summary: Yes, the 5 star reviews are all true!!!!
Review: I bought this book from Amazon.com on the strength of the reviews. To sum up, they are all true. This is a moving, funny, sad, complex and ultimately entertaining book. Read it and laugh and read it and weep. But you must read it.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Novel - EVER!
Review: Words cannot express how I feel about this book. Irving's characters are so quirky and bizarre, yet I believe wholeheartedly in, and fall in love with every one of them. I was hooked from the first paragraph. The new film "Simon Birch" is based on this book. I fear no movie can ever do it justice.
Rating:
Summary: If it wasn't for my bookclub - I would never have read this!
Review: If you can get through the first two chapters without giving up, and through the religious stuff, this book is first rate. I really disliked the capitalized letters in which Owen spoke; however, THAT is Owen. Bigger than life with a lot of insights. The last chapter or so tied all the loose ends together. Great read. I have passed the book on!!
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