A Prayer for Owen Meany

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books every written.
Review: I first read this book several years ago while commuting to Boston by train. Sitting on the train with other commuters I laughed out loud and had tears run down my face. I am sure I appeared for several days to be in the midst of a nervous breakdown. It is a wonderful book. Since that first reading I have re-read the book many times and it still invokes tears and laughter, sometimes simultaneously. If stuck on a desert isle with only 2 books to read, I would choose A Prayer for Owen Meaney and Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. Read this book! You won't be disapointed.

Rating:
Summary: INTO PARADISE MAY THE ANGELS LEAD YOU
Review: My old high school English teacher would've loved this book. He would've gleefully rubbed his hands together as we'd discuss the *Symbolism* of the book, the fatalistic comparison of Owen's childhood participation in Christmas plays and his friendship with the narrator, etc., etc. As his student of many long years ago, I can smile and appreciate these things, but I can also appreciate Irving's marvelous story-telling. I have images from his WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP that I'll never forget; this book adds more to my mental treasury.

I'm not generous with my ratings of *10*. A book or movie has to be close to perfect. This book is. Irving is a master!

Rating:
Summary: An Amazing piece of fiction
Review: I just finished this book last night and I cannot believe how moved I am. I was frantically turning pages at the end to see how this book would conclude, yet when I reached the ending I was disappointed my time with Owen Meaney was over. Updike has performed us all a service by introducing us to the characters in this book.

Rating:
Summary: The written word continues to move us...
Review: I sometimes believe I prefer the anticipation of the event to the event itself. This is so true of 'A Prayer for Owen Meany'; as I neared the end of the book, I wished I had not read it, that I still had it to read. Strangely, I think of Owen Meany at least weekly, if not daily. I have never before been affected in this way by a character in a novel. In this age of television, vcrs, and computers, it is wonderful to have writers create such beautiful words. I will never forget Owen Meany.

Rating:
Summary: Memorable...
Review: I first read OWEN back in 1990 after a close friend of mine recommended it and I think I have read it about 12 times since! Sometimes when I can't find anything worthwhile to read- I pick up my dog-eared copy of OWEN, open to any page and start reading. No matter what page I am on- the novel never fails to bring a smile to my face or a tear to my eye. I've read all of John Irving's works- and while The Hotel New Hampshire and The Cider House Rules are pretty impressive- nothing compares to OWEN.

Rating:
Summary: An insightful look at the road we all travel...
Review: I read Owen Meany several years back, and have NEVER been touched so deeply by any book in my life to date. John Irving is a master of where the soul takes us, the road we all are traveling to "nowhere" in particular. This book, among his many I have read, stands alone. The depth of the two main characters and their relationship - their love of one another, and the "unknown" mission they complete is so moving. I cried, and sobbed as I finished this book. This work will stand amongst the best fiction ever pinned... a 10+++

Rating:
Summary: A lesson in life...
Review: To anyone who has suffered a great loss in his or her life, APFOM gives us hope that life's course is set...things happen for a reason. And while it may seem ridiculous that an 800+ page novel can teach this lesson, it is even more ridiculous that one would walk away without such meaning. This novel is truley a heart-wrenching, thought-provking, tear-jerking masterpiece. As an English teacher, this is always my first recommedation to my students when asked "what should I read?" So, if a 14 year old can get past the pages and past the small print -- and come away with a new outlook and new understanding of the world we live in -- couldn't you do the same? Simply try it -- and soon you too WILL LOVE HIM!

Rating:
Summary: A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY
Review: Think of all the books you've ever read. Remember your favorites? Read a Prayer for Owen Meany and you will add it to your list of favorites. I've recently read it for the third time, and I will read it again someday!

A Prayer for Owen Meany is that rare novel that ellicits a sense of loss when you have finished the last page.

Rating:
Summary: I cried like a baby!!
Review: I was dreading the end of the story and also the thought of finishing the book. It grabbed me from the beginning and I enjoyed each character, they were obviously loved by the author. I was finishing the last few pages over dinner and started crying, tears dropping into my food. I had to put the book down a few times and attempted to finish my dinner. But I just couldn't let it go and finally cried my way through dinner and the ending. The last line was a killer.

Rating:
Summary: I'll remember Owen forever
Review: I took this book with me when I travelled through Europe and finally finished it a month ago at my cottage. This is the first book that I have read and enjoyed since high school. Owen's character was wonderful! I was very sad when the book was over and I miss him dearly. I found that this was the first book that I ever read that made me feel at home with the charaters. I wish that it didn't have to end. I recently finished "The Cider House Rules" by John Erving. I would suggest this to anyone that loved Owen Meany as much a s I did. Thank you Mr. Erving for giving us such a great novel.