A Prayer for Owen Meany is a unique and fascinating literary fiction read.
I had a difficult time rating this book, because, although I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and found it captivating, humorous, and thought-provoking, it is bloated. The author could have easily shaved off two hundred pages and made this book not only easier to read but more enjoyable as well. The story itself, however, is unique, multilayered, controversial, and just plain fascinating.
Owen Meany is an adult who has been teased since childhood. He is barely five feet tall and weighs less than one hundred pounds. Although Owen’s voice is strangled and screechy, whenever he speaks, people listen. Owen Meany is brilliant, witty, outspoken, and rebellious. He is also kind, loving and selfless. Owen is an enigma.
Although Owen and John were two very different people, they have been best friends for forever. Owen came from a poor and depressed home where both of his parents were mentally handicapped. John came from a fatherless but loving home, where he lived with his mother and grandmother. Often, imperfect people, are used by God, to influence and teach others, life lessons. Owen was such a person, and he knew what his purpose was.
A Prayer For Owen Meany is a book that will grip your heart, trigger your anger, make you think, laugh out loud and cry. It’s a fascinating book that will leave an imprint on your heart.
~3.5 out of 5 stars~ Review by Peg Glover
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I have this book like forever and I can’t get beyond the first few chapters. I wonder why.
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I thought very much the same as you – it’s far too long. I had mixed feelings about this book, parts of it are brilliant, fascinating and funny, but parts of it are tedious and boring.
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I found it controversial regarding religion too. Some parts made me cringe. I think he went for the shock factor. Even still, I liked the book. I had to mention the bloat, though, in my review, because it was waaaaay too much, slowing the book down to a crawl at times.
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Ugh I hate bloated books. I don’t think I would read a book because of that… my attention needs to be held in an iron trap
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Interesting review. I like Irving but 200 extra pages is a lot of bloat! I want may wait on this one. 🙂
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Yeah, I agree. I still liked it though.
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