Prayer for Owen Meany [Hardcover]

First, I have to state that I have read every single one of Mr John Irving's published books. He is an amazing author and I would love to meet him some day.

Now, aside from that, "A Prayer for Owen Meany" is intense. The first hundred pages you are introduced to Johnny's family and his best friend, Owen. They grow together, experience together and drag you (the reader) along with them. You become a witness to the most intimate pieces of their lives.

Johnny grows into your typical curious teenaged boy while Owen remains very unique. From Owen's voice, to his adult maturidy, to his unwavering religious beliefs- Owen is a character that you will never forget.

I really feel like I "got to know" Johnny and Owen, and the other supporting characters, because Irving brought out the best and the worst qualities in their characters, and displayed them for me to observe. If these guys were real, I'd definitely want to meet them! "...Owen Meany" is definitely Irving's best work. It is the novel that speaks the loudest (no Owen joke intended there) and the one that examines the acts of friendship and faith that makes human bonds so strong.

I have this thing with "A Prayer for Owen Meany". I first read it in high school, my freshman English class, and thought it was SO LONG that I procrastinated on starting it. Then, as I delved deeper into the story, I became fully attached to it. I wrote in the margins, highlighted passages, wrote thesis statements and essays on the book.

Then, that first copy fell apart. I couldn't bear throwing it out, though, so I simply put that copy on my bookshelf and bought another copy of "Owen Meany". I read that one again and again, until that too, was falling apart.

So, I bought another copy. Every time I meet someone who is smart, creative, intellegent and close to me- I buy them a copy of "Owen Meany".

Irving has crafted a story of love, loss and discovery that takes you through romance, friendship, male bonds, death, war, and the progression of time.

This book is my absolute favorite story of all time.

Owen Meany, diminutive in height and weight and with a voice that almost defies description, other than he speaks in capital letters, has been he firmly believes placed on this earth for a purpose. His life long and best friend John Wheelwright tells Owen's story, which is inevitably as much John's the story too. It is also a story about faith.

Owen is a character and a half, despite his small size and fragile appearance, an appearance that makes most girls and women want to hug him and mother him, he has a commanding presence, he is not one to be ignored. Neither is he someone easily dissuaded from his chosen course, in fact if Owen has it in mind to do something, nothing will get in his way. Above all he believes his life has a purpose, and he means to fulfil that purpose. Throughout he has the unerring support of John, even though John might not understand all that is happening, or necessarily agree with his friend.

A Prayer for Owen Meany is a beautiful story very well told. It is carefully crafted, and in addition to the gradual unravelling of Owen's purpose, there are several other themes running throughout the story. It is in part this gradual revealing of matters that holds one's interest, often we will know a particular outcome of events very early in the story, but what lead up to or caused that outcome, we may not know for some time, in some cases not until the end. We won't realise either that some seemingly irrelevant actions will prove crucial to the outcome.

While that makes for a fascinating read, above all it is the Owen's character, and the unquestioning friendship between Owen and John that makes this a very special story. John narrates that account from the 1980s, and while updating us on what is happening in his life then he spends most time looking back to the 1950s and 60s when they grew up, and he frequently puts the action into context by reminding us of significant news events of the period with which many of us will be familiar. He does also speak his mind occasionally about the attitude of Americans and America's involvement in international affairs, and at times indulges his interest in literature. He also has something to say about religion and the nature of faith.

This is also at times a very funny story, in fact it contains some of the funniest passages I have read anywhere. The description the the children's pageant is a prime example, it is a perfectly straight and very detailed account of events, it makes no effort to be funny, yet it is hilarious. But above all this is a very touching and moving story, heartbreaking at times; towards to end I frequently had to have a break in order to cope and prepare myself for what was coming next. This is one book that will be with me for a long time to come.

Absolutely wonderful, all time favorite book! You must read it. John Irving may not have current books available, but this older book can surpass many of today's bestsellers.

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