A prayer for Owen Meany

[qo]

I'm halfway through so no spoilers please

I am really struggling with this book, it's sooo boring that I can only manage a few pages at a time, every little point is dragged out and a lot of it seems meaningless to the story. I want to finish it, as it's regarded as a modern classic, and that the book only comes together at the end.

Please tell me if it's worth perservering with?

[Portofino]

It is one of my all time faves - so yes I would say it worse persevering with.

[Viperidae]

Yes, second that. I loved this book, I agree it is slow in parts but well worth persevering.

[qo]

It is starting to pick up a bit with a lot more of John's present day/adult life creeping in but still isn't holding my interest at all.

I will perservere, but at this rate it's going to take me a year to finish it!

[iwantavuvezela]

One of my all time favourite books too. Loved it!

[qo]

Did nobody else find it a struggle and a little boring to read then?

[crikeybill]

I didnt. I loved it, just loved it !!
Def up there with my all time faves

[CaptainHoratioWragge]

Sorry to add to your annoyance, OP, but this is also one of my all time favourites. I've read it about 5 times.

[qo]

oh, I just like my books to be un-put-down-able, to me Owen Meany is very put-down-able

[Portofino]

And when you read the ending, you will HAVE to read it again ;-)

[AgentProvocateur]

One of my favorites too. Please persevere. It's so worth it.

[Ilovedaintynuts]

I found it awful. Absolutely mind-numbingly boring. I finished it but almost lost the will to live. This was only recently.

I don't know what people are getting out of this book but I guess we are all different.

I would say give up - life's too short

[Ilovedaintynuts]

And you will LOVE the ending because the book is finally over...

[JennetDevice]

Is this the first John Irving book youve tried? Maybe try The World According to Garp to get a feel for his writing. Then go back to Owen. Its also one of my favourite books and I agree with everyone else, please persevere.

[Ilovedaintynuts]

I really think the 300 pages or so he spent describing the nativity was far too little. I really wanted MORE detail. I wanted to know what people had for breakfast and want time they went to sleep

Sorry John Irving fans, being wicked!

[minceorotherwise]

Ooh my fave book of all time
Agree it may have been bett to read Garp first

[toysoldiers]

It's my favourite book, closely followed by Hotel New Hampshire.

I think you probably either like John Irving or you don't. But Owen is one of the few books to have a lasting effect on me.

Stick with it.

[sayanythingrogerjustrogerme]

Loved it, read it about 10 times. So another vote for persevering, sorry!

[Minstrelsaremarvellous]

Worth persevering. I've only read it once but it really sticks with me. It's worth it.

[qo]

I really think the 300 pages or so he spent describing the nativity was far too little. I really wanted MORE detail. I wanted to know what people had for breakfast and want time they went to sleep

hahaha [grin} This ^^ describes excatly how I feel about the book, every point so laboured it's excruciating, I've found myself skipping bits.

I actually just tried to read a bit more when I was in the bath and accidentally dropped it in - maybe it's a sign!

[JennetDevice]

rasputin It`s A Widow for One Year. There is a film of this book called The Door in the Floor.

[CaptainHoratioWragge]

Oh my goodness the nativity scene
I can remember nearly wetting myself I was laughing so hard the first time I read it with Owen playing Baby Jesus and forcing Mary to bow to him
I think i'm going to have to read it again...

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

It isn't really worth carrying on tbh. There is the so-called 'incredible' ending but it's pretty obvious where it's going and it takes a very, very long time to get there. It is tedious and over-written and pretty boring for the most part. Seriously over-rated. I liked the car scene but the rest of it really, really bored and annoyed me.

Burn it.

[TheFarSide]

My all time favourite book, but if you don't like it so far it's not likely to improve for you. I think it's a book about characters and relationships rather than lots of action - if you like action, then you are going to find it boring.

[PanofOlympus]

Oh Owen Meany isn't a speed read. It isn't a book to 'achieve' reading it at all.
It's a lot like George Eliot books, or Jane Austen.

We have been almost 'trained' to devour plot, action, progressive narrative, critical analysis of characters..without comprehending the poetry and detail of the writing and the ideas ( that are really challenging) and appreciating the subtle connections. All of these things are the basis of what makes British writing what it is.
To fast-read OM, and to not put it down every few pages and consider what has been written means, unfortunately it will remain unsatisfying to you.
Don't read it when you are tired, or pre-occupied. Then it will be lost on you and be a waste of your time.

imho.