A Prayer for Owen Meany: A Novel

John Irving

Mar 2012 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

“A remarkable novel. . . . A Prayer for Owen Meany is a rare creation. ... An amazingly brave piece of work ... so extraordinary, so original, and so enriching. . . . Readers will come to the end feeling sorry to leave [this] richly textured and carefully wrought world.” —STEPHEN KING, Washington Post

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 is 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.

A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick

Ratings and reviews

I found myself seriously laughing out loud as I read the descriptions of the many childhood pranks, games and mysteries that are all a part of the very deep friendship that is developed between a tiny "runt" of a boy (Owen Meany) and his best friend John. The two boys are from very different socio-economic backgrounds and grow up together during the Vietnam War era. Each boy has his own deep challenges as "manhood" is reached. John Irving's writing reminds me of Mark Twain in the way he leads the reader into becoming a part of the deep loyalty and love that comes into being within the development of this type of intense friendship. In addition Irving's sarcasm and blatant honesty are clearly evident as he describes the many ethical polarities that existed within the religious & political aspects of this era. For me this book had so many very deep messages (and emotional twists) regarding humanity, religion, politics, and the ethics of human behavior. I love this type of reading. John Irving's work offers the total opposite of shallow literature and takes one into the depths of joy, sorrow, and deeper looks into all.... all along the way!.........

welll. I am writing myself and living my book of life profoundly rich. I admit i may not ever read anothers book. That being said, Johh Irving is a progenitor of mine for which i am grateful Several times in my journey, vignettes from THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP were like a partner in a grand dance for myself. I could have known that John is not a one book man. And for that i highly recommend this book, and seeing that it goes beyond the author, i recoommend it higher than highly.

I have read this book at least three times. The last time I read it in its entirety was during a very difficult time in my life – a period in which I was wandering in the “dessert” – uncertain of my purpose in this life. I was not, at that time, a believer. I was a “physical” Christian, by which I mean that I attended church, talked like a Christian – and, to an unbeliever, I “looked” like a Christian – but Christ did not have my heart. This book, however, spoke to me – deeply – it offered the solace and encouragement that I was lacking. It reassured me – without spoiling the end of the story – that there is a purpose for every life – a Divine Purpose – one that is pre-ordained – and that we must, everyone of us, be patient in waiting. I had not thought about Owen Meany for nearly 12 years – until this day – a day in which I find myself again lost and wandering – looking for clarity of purpose in this life. I am lost because I am out of work – searching for a job – and living in a culture in which we are defined, measured and valued by our work. No work – no value. Of course, I know this is not true, but it is a culturally imposed judgment that anyone who is unemployed – especially the long-term unemployed – experience daily and feel deeply. We are the new lepers. In the times of Jesus – lepers were feared and shunned – they were misunderstood and thought to be cursed – many feared – contagious. Attempts were made to explain it away; those who were not afflicted could feel exempt, beyond the reach of the afflicted. So too, are the unemployed – everyone fears the loss of their job – some so deeply that they are afraid joblessness is contagious – spread through extended contact. Explanations are created to help define the reason for joblessness – laziness primarily - to make others feel that they are beyond its reach. So what does this have to do with Owen Meany? His is a story of a life lived in the face of extreme disadvantages – poor family, difficult upbringing, multiple physical deformities – really, no advantages in a world fixated on physical prowess and pedigree. Yet, he knew from his youngest days that the Lord had a plan for him – that there was a Divine reason for everything he endured and his every attribute. He believed, completely and totally, that every single thing about his life had a purpose – he simple needed to be patient, and listen prayerfully, for it to be revealed. This is true for all of us. The unemployed, poor, hungry, homeless, mentally ill, abused, imprisoned – you name it – so many of us are experiencing hardship that is beyond our understanding. This is made especially difficult, because in the midst of our trials – so many are thriving – experiencing material and other gifts that we can only dream of. I was thinking about this very thing during my bible study today – when I read the following verses: “ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 4-7 I read, underlined it and prayed on those very lines. I was feeling discouraged, dejected, frustrated – lost. Then, two hours later a took Owen Meany off of my bookshelf, opened to the first page and saw this very verse – and I remembered the encouragement and comfort I found in the story of Owen Meany. This is an incredible book – an incredible journey. It stands as a great reminder that the challenges of this life serve to forge, mold and shape us, it is through prayer and perseverance that we endure and emerge victorious. Today, with my bible this time, I am going on that journey once again – I can’t wait. Peace & God Bless!

About the author

John Irving has been nominated for a National Book Award three times—winning in 1980 for the novel The World According to Garp. In 1992, Irving was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He won the 2000 Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Cider House Rules. In 2001, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Irving's most recent novel is In One Person (2012).