A prayer for Owen Meaney

[macnab]

I've finally got round to reading this. I really loved the story, but hated the way it was written! I skim-read all the religious references (sooo many!) and didn't enjoy the endless biblical paraphrasing. But the essence of the story was fantastic. I'm now not sure if I'd recommend it or not. Im glad I persevered and made it to the end, im just disappointed in it overall.

What do others think?

I love it, i first read it in 2001 and have re-read twice. It made me want to seek out all of john irving's other books too. But I do get what you mean about the religious references. Have you read any others by john Irving? My other favourites are the cider house rules, a widow for a year and son of a circus, if you were after recommendations

I loved it. I read it over ten years ago, so I can't remember much of the detail (apart from "the thing that happens"), but I do remember reading it on holiday over a couple of days and feeling bereft when I'd finished it.

JI's earliest many novels were so enjoyable to me, and I loved this too. Not much of his later stuff interested me.

See I'm not sure if I want to read any of his other books if they're written in the same way?

I'll have a look at these recommendations though, as I keep saying I really loved the actual story so maybe I'd enjoy reading his other books.

There's no doubt THAT VOICE leaves its mark!

The Cider House Rules and the Hotel New Hampshire are both really worth reading too. The World According to Garp is also good.
Radio Four did a series based on Owen Meany way way back, apparently the voice was very atmospheric. I don't know if its available anywhere though.

The Cider House Rules is probably my favourite.

I am sad I will never read it again for the first time.

The hotel New Hampshire is brilliant- except for a really odd end that I didn't like. Garp is also well worth a read

One of my favourite ever books.

I do not like big books.

I am blessed with a shot memory. Owen meany is the only book that I've read read more than once.

I would/do accept the presence of higher being / God, so that doesn't bother me at all. I love the story. I love the ending. Love the tying it all in. My favourite ever book. Thus far

Owen meany is the

Owen Meany might be my favourite book ever, its absolutely in my Top 3. I have reread it a few times over the years, and this year I also listened to it on Audible, and it was incredibly well done, narrated by Joe Barrett, he gave Owen such a powerful, memorable voice and persona.

I know what you mean though OP, about being reluctant to recommend it. It is not a book for everyone, and I know lots of people find it really hard to get into....I'm reluctant to recommend it, in case the other person doesn't love it as much as I do, I hate the thought of anyone having anything less than a love affair with it!

I was very annoyed by it. Far too long and not as clever as he thinks it is.

Sorry.....should have included recommendations for The Cider House Rules, A Widow for One Year, and Garp, though it must be 20 years since I read that. I love American writers, Pat Conroy, Wally Lamb and Douglas Kennedy are also favourites of mine. Beach Music, by Pat Conroy is up there in the Top 3 (along with Owen Meany)

Oh I loved that book - there's a great movie adaptation called 'Simon birch'. They changed the plot a bit but the gist of the story is still there. It's a lovely non threatening film.

I'm one of the few people who really dislike the book. I used to be a big John Irving fan and loved The Hotel New Hampshire, The Cider House Rules and The World According to Garp. But I hated APFOM. The irritating capitals. The infuriating prescient saintliness. The Thing That Happens. Ugh. Actually I haven't touched a JI book for about 20 years now and strangely have no interest in them at all.

I loved 'widow for a year' and 'water method man'
but...I find them a bit samey.
the long lost love, the bear, voyerism, running away from trouble...

Oh Fleurygirl Beach Music is one of my all time favourites too, when I hear "save the last dance for me" I think of it every time. I also love all of Wally Lamb's books. I'll try some other John Irving's, I think it was all the religious waffle that annoyed me but I did absolutely love the story.

Macnab, I've never actually met anyone who has read Beach Music!, We have very similar taste in books it seems. I'm saving Wally Lamb's new book for my holidays. I have a thing for American writers, especially male writers, funnily enough!

Nice to meet you Fleurygirl I've not read his latest one yet either so I just download that too.

Another favourite of mine is a book called Choke Chain by Jason Donald. I've never met anyone else who's read it, but I always recommend it.

Have just finished "We are all completely beside ourselves" and absolutely loved that too

**apologies for derailing the thread!

Will check out Jason Donald, thank you for the heads up, Macnab. I'll get back to you if I think of a few more gems!

It's my favourite novel

I read it in 2002 while heavily pregnant and overdue with DC1

My emotions were all over the place at the time and I read it for hours at a time and remember crying a lot. Think my hormonal state at the time probably played a large part in my response to the book!

I have read a few other John Irving novels by Owen Meany is my favourite.

I didn't love it as much as I wanted to iyswim..

I just couldn't get into it

I'm with Ontopofthesunset, I just found it really irritating. It's a shame because I loved Garp and was really looking forward to Owen Meany.

I was not a fan of Owen Meany. THE CAPITALS were so annoying!

This is one of my favourite books. I love John Irving, although the last few have not been so good.