A Prayer for Owen Meany
Books | Fiction / Literary
4.1
(682)
John Irving
“I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice—not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother’s death, but because he was the reason I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany.”In the summer of 1953, two eleven-year-old boys—best friends—are playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire. One of the boys hits a foul ball that kills the other boy’s mother. The boy who hits the ball doesn’t believe in accidents; Owen Meany believes he is God’s instrument. What happens to Owen, after that 1953 foul ball, is extraordinary and terrifying.
AD
Buy now:
More Details:
Author
John Irving
Pages
544
Publisher
Knopf Canada
Published Date
2012-05-08
ISBN
0307362027 9780307362025
Community ReviewsSee all
""I am doomed to remember a boy with a cracked voice". So begins a tale of unlikely friendship, and the search for purpose in a cruel, seemingly pointless world. John, now an embittered English professor, struggles to make sense of the mysterious life of his best friend Owen, and the inevitable destiny which haunted him ever since a memorable Christmas Carol performance when they were children. Owen is an absolutely original and unforgettable character: a midget with a perpetually childlike voice who in no way acts or is perceived as a child; a rebel, truth teller, lover and eventually tragic hero. Set just prior to and during the Vietnam War in Irving's flinty New Hampshire (granite work plays a significant role), this remarkable novel wrestles with questions of fate, belief and how to lead a meaningful life."
Lesley Williams
"just could not get into this book. I never got past the 3rd chapter. I probably will try it again."
Jen Marin
"A wonderful, sad, touching story, but a lot of the book is just so <b>boring</b>! I'm torn between giving it 5 stars for the story or 2-3 stars for the experience of reading the book. I reckon 3.5 would be accurate."
Nik Lal
"My heart will never be the same!<br/><br/>“INTO PARADISE MAY THE ANGELS LEAD YOU,’” he’d said over my mother’s grave; and so I say that one for him—I know it was one of his favorites.”"
Dorothy Ivey
"IMO, yes! I didn't like any other Irving's books that I tried unfortunately but I loved this one! One of those that stay with you for a long time. Hope you enjoy it ad well. :)"
Irina Zakh
"Loved loved this book! It’s unexpectedly hilarious and just unexpected. Also this book gives a great history refresher course. "
M c
Maria cass
"Masterful storytelling at its best"
John Woakes
"Given this book’s gradual, relentless progression toward doom, it’s remarkable how many times it made me laugh aloud. <br/><br/>Owen Meany is one character I will not soon forget."
a
aqword
