A prayer for Owen Meany

I loved Owen Meany, but if you've not been sucked in by now it might just not be your sort of book. For me it was a total page turner, I think I read it in just under a week. I've read it a couple of times since then and if anything it packed more of an emotional punch on the re-read.

My favourite John Irving, although I really enjoyed Until I Find You as well.

I do wonder when every one read it? I think it might be one of those books you go back to and feel dissapointed with? I adored John Irvine in my late teens/early 20s but am not sure I've the patience or the spare emotions now. It was the fecking wrestling that got me in the end. Can't remember which book it was but I couldn't take any more wrestling.

so glad to read this thread. we're doing it for book group and i've got about 100 pages in. I'm finding it v. difficult to pick up.

I'm with you, OP. I am halfway through and struggling! I rarely give up on a book so I hope to finish it sometime, must admit I have left it for the moment though.

I found it slow and hard. But when you get to the ending, it suddenly all makes sense. Then, you look at the whole book in a different light, and realise, that it really is amazing.

It was good on the radio. Perhaps they abridged it a bit :)

I agree that he's trying to be clever. He labours away for zillions of pages to reach the great denouement and by the end all I could really think was, 'Well thank God that's all over' so it lost just about all of its emotional impact. And all the sex with the freaky cousin person just bored the hell out of me too.

It is my all time favourite book, but I would say don't persevere if it hasn't grabbed you yet - from people I've pushed this book on in the past with almost zealous fervour, the ones that 'got it' got it right away and emerged two days later having not eaten or showered, and the ones that didn't were dead to me from that point on were never likely to.

I gave upon this when I tried it years ago. keep reading about it being so many people's favourite book that I feel I ought to try again. But you've just reminded me, OP, of how deeply tedious it was. Thanks.

I read about 50 pages then put it down and have never gone back to it. I rarely give up on a book but just couldn't push on this time. I wonder if I still have it? Might give it one more try. Years have passed and my tastes have changed.

Oh, I disagree. The endless, endless foreshadowing of the big reveal is so try hard!

Or even persevering...

I loved it, was very moved by it, one of those books that stays with you for a long time.

It is a strange book, no doubt, but well worth preserving with.

over - rated IMO

tbh, Greythorne, I don't think Irving was trying to be clever.

I loathed it.
Took it on holiday with me and it nearly ruined my holiday as there was nothing else to read.
so tedious. And trying to be clever. AND ALL THOSE INANE UPPER CASE LETTERS WHEN OWEN IS TALKING. Just why?

Put it down and walk away.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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

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