jarboyatt@telis.org, 12/09/96, rating=10:
THE BEST BOOK OF THE LAST TEN YEARS
Irving has often been compared to Charles Dickens, but in this book
he develops characters that can break your heart much smoothly than Dickens
ever could. There are few books that I have read that I will actually laugh
out loud in, this was one of them. A Prayer for Owen Meany is a roller
coaster of emotions. You'll find yourself laughing one minute, crying the
next, and end up evaluating your belief system. Never has a book that deals
with serious issues of Christianity been so entertaining. Without a doubt,
John Irving's best book ever.
104125.357@compuserve.com, 11/20/96, rating=10:
Owen Meany reminded me that our lives have a PURPOSE.
If you have become jaded and cynical, Owen Meany will restore your
faith in God, this world and yourself. John Irving has created a misfit
named Owen Meany, a young man who accidentally kills his best friend's
mom on page 1; is reared by his parents to suspect he is the product of
a virgin birth; and who lives his life in its purest form -- for that single,
special purpose. I honestly cried when this book ended -- not due to the
author's resolution of Owen Meany's life, but because Owen Meany's life
was only fiction. To know an Owen Meany would be an honor.-- Carla Curtsinger
Kansas City, MO
clawrnce@netcom.ca, 01/20/97, rating=10:
The BEST Book I have every read in my ENTIRE LIFE!!!
I read this book about two years ago or more, and I still think about
it. Never has a book affected me so. The whole idea of "destiny" is not
new, and one I have never subscribed to, but the life of Owen Meany makes
me stop and think every now and then. At the end of the book, when we learn
the fate of Owen, you set the book down, close your eyes (after the crying
has subsided) and think back throughout the entire course of the novel
and realize that every thing Owen did, had a reason. It was meant to be.
From his high pitched voice, to the constant perfecting of "the shot",
all of these things lead to the "reason" for Owen's existence. I hope Mr.
Irving has another character as deep as Owen Meany up his sleeve, because
this one will be tough to beat. I absolutely LOVED Owen Meany!! I only
wish I could have met him - I know I could not have resisted the temptation
to just pick him up and hug him to death. READ THIS BOOK!! YOU WILL NOT
BE DISAPPOINTED.
sethgecko13@hotmail.com, 01/16/97, rating=9:
A period novel written by one of the last great storytellers
In a lecture I was fortunate enough to attend, John Irving said "I
am a storyteller". In this story filled with unique, three-dimensional
characters, the reader is brought to the verge of tears, both by laughter
and sadness. The story is told by a draft-dodger named John Wheelright.
John is "...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." So sets
the stage for a story which follows the lives of a handful of people who
were fortunate enough to have shared some time on earth with Owen Meany.
Owen is one of, if not the most inspirational and original character crafted
by Irving, who weaves a powerful story from the accounts of Owen's friend.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story. For those
who look for a deeper meaning, Irving leaves many layers in his novels,
so that each reading brings forth new insight, and a better understanding
of the book. - Derek DeVries (sethgecko13@hotmail.com)
LGerstenbe@aol.com, 01/11/97, rating=10:
A Litmus-test for Humanoids
I feel almost at a loss for words as I attempt to explain what Owen
Meany has come to mean to me in the 6 years since I first met him. The
first time I read this book, I stayed up all night and was bawling in my
bed when it was over. I reread it immediately that summer and have read
it about once a year since then. It goes without saying that I recommend
this book to everyone, but it is more than that...I consider it "required
reading" for any friend of mine. When I meet someone new, someone I think
worthy of my friendship and of Owen, I give them a copy of this book and
ask them to read it. If they refuse, or (imagine!) cannot get through it,
I am forced to write them off. It may sound harsh, but as far as I'm concerned
anyone who doesn't love Owen, is heartless and incapable of love. This
book will get under your skin and will live in your heart forever. Every
time I finish it I am reminded once again why, of any fictional character
I have ever met, I not only believe that Owen is real, I desperately WANT
him to be.
01/11/97, rating=10:
A great book
A Prayer For Owen Meany is a beautiful story about faith and destiny.
It's lovely and thought-provoking, without the lewd descriptions that marred
some of Irving's other books. This is surely his best work. Garp didn't
even come close.
Victoria S. Dennis (vicki.dennis@target.commercemail.com), 01/08/97,
rating=10:
I Drew Lots of Stares
From our first date, my husband nagged me to read "A Prayer for Owen
Meany." I postponed and made excuses...the title didn't sound compelling,
and I have to confess to having judged the book by it's cover. Over a year
after we were married, we were finally taking our long-awaited honeymoon
to Italy. Browsing in the airport bookstore, we each chose a couple of
paperbacks to read on the flight and on the trains in Italy. Once we were
in the air, my husband refused to give me either of the books I had chosen,
but handed me one he had picked out without my knowledge - Owen Meany.
For 14 hours of the trans-Atlantic flight, I laughed uproariously (my husband
slept). I couldn't sleep - couldn't put it down. He was, therefore, alert
for the next day's trip to the Sistine Chapel - I had jet lag and exhaustion
from going so long without sleep. Across Italy, I laughed, and inevitably,
cried. I don't remember much of the Sistine (a good excuse for another
trip) - but I wouldn't trade the Owen Experience.
saustin@montgomery.com, 01/07/97, rating=10:
This is the possession I would most want on the island w/me.
Owen Meany can be read again and again and the reader will draw different
details or emotions out every time. Irving has created two characters so
rich and detailed as to seem real. Every loose end is drawn up by the end
of the novel--even the most trivial-seeming details prove pertinent. The
first time that I read this book I cried at the end, and every time after
my reaction has not changed. I have yet to recommend this book to anyone
and have them not enjoy it as much as I do. This book makes a great gift
for almost anyone--the only criticism I have heard is from more politically
conservative readers who resent Irving's criticism of Regan-era politics.
yfragile@knoxnews.infi.net, 01/07/97, rating=10:
Just damn great!
John Irving has a gift for telling a story in a way that makes you
laugh, cry, and have just about any other emotional experience you can.
This is one of those books that will become worn and tattered looking because
you've read it so many times.
Lynda Hawkins(leelynda@worldnet.att.net), 01/05/97, rating=10:
UNFORGETTABLE
A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of the most profound books I've ever
read. From its shocking opening line to its painful conclusion I found
my own belief in God and experience of faith challenged and tested. As
many times as I've read Owen (and I've worn out three copies since it was
first published) I'm still moved by THE VOICE and its continuing ring in
my ears. Each time I read the scene where Rev. Merrill, a man "trying to
be brave," asks the students to pray for Owen Meany I hope that this time
their prayers will be answered.
mlc1@airmail.net, 12/23/96, rating=10:
One of Irvings best.
I have read every book written by John Irving and I am a huge fan,
so my review may be somewhat biased. However, this book ranks with the
best of any book I have read. If you are one of the many who read "Garp"
or "Hotel New Hampshire" you will certainly love this book.
Louise (Ebeeth@aol.com), 12/13/96, rating=10:
A truly great book - hilarious, moving: READ IT!
This is the book I re-read every December. Why? Because it has the
Christmas pageant from Hell in it. It is so funny that I laugh until I
cannot see to read for the tears. It is also a powerful book you will never
forget with characters you will come to love. It will make you laugh. It
will make you cry. And it certainly will make you laugh til you cry. You
will never forget OWEN MEANY. But you will still want to read it again
next December.
Javajunky1@aol.com, 12/01/96, rating=10:
Superb
This book is the most amazing piece of fiction that has come across
my view since I began to read. It brings profound emotions to surface and
commands the reader to continue. I was unable to stop reading for more
than a couple of hours before I finished it. Irving displays things that
have never been brought to my attention in ways that had a sort of power
over me while I was engulfed in the fantastic text.
11/19/96, rating=10:
a damn good book
'nuff said.
beckerf@cna.org, 11/15/96, rating=7:
Interesting, captivating, and a little bizarre
I read this because it was recommended to my son as he was entering high school, and I want to exert my "parental guidance" duties for books as well as for movies.
This is really not an appropriate book for 13 and 14 year olds. It's difficult for them to follow because time keeps popping back and forth. The language (lots of cuss words) and situations are inappropriate for that age group, in my opinion.
Nevertheless, it does have an attraction to it for adults and kept me interested to the end. Owen Meany is definitely a bizarre character--his belief in his own Christ-ness and in his dream-visions, his strange relationships with women, the ways in which he copes with his small stature.
This is different from most books I read. I recommend it, as long as you're willing to go with non-run-of-the-mill, because it definitely is NOT that!
11/14/96, rating=7:
This was a good book.More action needed.
I think more description would be helpful. for the most part I realy
liked this book. I recommend it. It's really intense. sighned, Lost Love
TurkIsDead@msn.com, 11/13/96, rating=9:
Owen is everyone
This book tells the story of destiny, but not in the Hollywood pistolglamarama
kill em adventure. It has a frankness, a depth, and a pure joy in the telling
of a life that wouldn't show up on the front page. An inspired work. Give
it to people, and watch them come back to you with not just a smile, but
a deeper understanding of the animal known as humanity.
izecco.bbnplanet.com, 10/03/96, rating=10:
Single best fiction I have ever read. Life-changing.
Within the first two pages of reading, you are totally emersed into
the life and characters of Owen Meanly. Like many of Irvings characters,
they tend to leap right out from the page and take you with them. Owen
Meany, like many of us, is a character that can not fit a standard definition.
His physical, as well as his emotional make-up are the hooks by which all
other characters and situations hang. Meany is a story, it is a journey,
it is a spiritual experience that will touch anyone who reads it. It is
a roller-coaster ride of fun, while pulling you into surprising turns with
an unexpected ending. There are no holes in this story--it is beautifully
tied together.
rrieper@trimax.com, 09/25/96, rating=10:
A Benchmark novel by a truly gifted teller of stories!
This is an enormously entertaining book and the most moving novel that
I have ever read. The ending (particularly the last sentence!) was inspired.
I've read other Irving novels and enjoyed them, but nothing like Owen Meany.
There's a common thread in these 'Reader Reviews' that everyone recommends
this book highly. Read it, and you too will become a convert and spread
the gospel according to St. Owen!!
cbroussard@midtn.campus.mci.net, 09/18/96, rating=10:
Contemporary Literature at its Finest
Every few years a book comes along to remind me that literature still
matters. A Prayer for Owen Meaney did just that when it was released seven
years ago. Since that time , I have re-read the book seven times and recommended
it to everyone I've come into contact with. Irving has produced the finest
book of his career, a book that holds your emotions in the palm of its
hand and releases them at the whim of the author. I was in tears the first
time I read the last thirty pages. This book should be next to the bed
of every lover of literature worldwide.
bculp@gte.net, 08/01/96, rating=10:
My wife suggested that I read this book and told me to be prepared
to enter into an emotional story that would make me laugh until I cried
and cry until I laughed. Was she ever right! This was my first reading
of a John Irving novel and I have yet to read another because I fear that
it will never equal this effort by the author. Perfection is hard to repeat!
JNESICH@EMI.COM, 07/28/96, rating=10:
If you read any book in your life, read this one.
This book is perfection, drawing you in from the outset and tying you
to the characters as securel as you are to your friends and relatives.
Whenever the book comes up in conversation, I discover another rabid Irving
fan, and most agree that this is the best book they've ever read.
seanmbrown@aol.com, 06/26/96, rating=10:
Best book I've ever read
This is in my opinion the greatest American Novel of our time. Irving
strings together a sensitive, humorous, thought-provoking plot with brilliantly
crafted dialogue and narrative description. He leaves you with many questions
as you read the book, all of which are masterfully answered in the memorable
climactic scene.
padmini@johnson.cornell.edu, 06/14/96, rating=10:
A literary treat - Irving at his best.
This book captures a rare and special friendship between two boys.
The character of Owen Meany is powerful and extraordinary. The story line
is extremely compelling with a dramatic ending. And like all great books,
this one is impeccably written and completely absorbing. I wanted to read
it for ever....
05/24/96, rating=9:
A Prayer for Owen Meany, Irvings Best!
A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving's novel about the life of the
son of a granite miner, draws you in and takes you on an emotional adventure.
From a boy stumbling through adolescence to becoming a man, Owen Meany
lives a trying life that has you crossing your fingers and holding your
breath throughout the book. Many consider "Owen Meany" to be Irving's best
work. While I still consider Hotel New Hampshire his best work, Owen is
a very close second.
colleen.harkness@capital.ge.com, 05/16/96, rating=10:
humourous, insighful, full of emotion...GREAT BOOK!
One of the best books I have ever read. It made me laugh out loud.
No one I have ever recommended the book too has ever been disappointed
or failed to recommend the book to someone else. It is simply a wonderful
book and one that you will think about a long time after you put it down.