A Prayer For Owen Meany

[MrsMuddle]

Having just posted about a crap holiday read (One Good Turn), thought I'd add balance by saying that I absolutely loved this book.

Even though I sort of knew what the end would be, I was still stunned when it actually happened. I couldn't put this book down, and I was disappointed to finish it.

It's very American, so it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, but I'd be interested to hear other opinions.

i read it a long time ago and cried and cried and laughed a lvt and loved it

but I liked one good turn too

read it years and years ago. I know I did like it, but a bit too long.

I liked one good turn, and years ago I read a prayer for OM and although each page was easy to read, I didn't feel propelled towards the end of the book...... so I didn't love it the way everybody else seemed to.

It is a great book, read it 18 years ago and still remember it.

Like all John Irving books, it has a bit in the middle where he indulges in his two loves, wrestling and Germany, at this point it gets a bit dull, but it is worth the perseverance.

Fabulous book. I have read it two or three times. I love John Irving

I read it about the same time as Bree at what was a very special and emotional time for me. I thought it was fab, it is probably my favourite book no doubt partly due to the other stuff going on. I picked it up a few years ago to read again and it bought tears to my eyes on the first page so I have only read it once.
I still want to read it again but would have to know I have the time to read it from cover to cover!

I don't find him quite the same anymore though

loved it

Have you read Until I Find You? I thought it was his best for a long time - much more emotional resonance that A Widow for One Year or the Fourth Hand (I did enjoy Son of the Circus, but more for the humour). Cider House Rules left me a bit cold too.

oh no is it new? (I really struggled with widow and fourth hand, I think it took me months to even bother reading the last few pages of widow for one year!

You should find it in paperback now, I think it was published a year or two ago. I thought WFOY and the Fourth Hand were not very engaging and was very disappointed. They are still on my bookshelf, but I haven't reread them (very rare for me). I found Until I Find You very moving and really thought provoking. I saw an interview with him that suggested it was semi autobiographic, which added to my interest too. I'd recommend it. I think it's not far behind Owen Meany in my favourite John Irving novels list

WIll look for it this weekend thanks
I resolved to read 12 books just for myself this year
grand total so far

0!

I also loved Until I find you (and Owen Meany obviously!) Again not impressed by WFOY but absolutely love love love Hotel New Hampshire which is probably my favourite. Does that mean I'm a bit odd?

Not read any Irving until this book - but I am certainly going to read more now. I found the book a bit of a slow burner and then got totally sucked in and felt qyite bereft when I had finished it. I ACTUALLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT LIKE THIS

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!

Has anyone seen the film 'apatation' - it's on this Sunday on either channel 4 or 5 - it's very loosley based on and is called Simon Birch.

Have you read the World According to Garp? That's an epic although I think most of his books are in terms of how far the characters come. I am a huge John Irving fan and cried at the end of Owen Meany. Read it a long time ago, am going to dig it out again. Some people I've recommended it too hated it though.

Not read World According To Garp yet. I have it on order from the library.

lilibet - didn't know there was a film adaptation, but I don't think I'll watch it. I know in my head exactly what Owen looked like, and I think I'd be disappointed if the actor playing him DIDN'T LOOK AND SOUND EXACTLY LIKE HIM.

my favourite book i think
read it at least once a year

I loved that book. I have Cider House Rules on my iPod at the moment and I listen to an hour everytime I go to the gym.

Hotel New Hampshire and Garp are also excellent. John Irving is the only author that both dh and I enjoy, so it's also good to have that shared experience. I don't think his later books have that much about Germany in them, or quite so much wrestling (obviously it features!)...

Don't forget the bears, there's usually a bear reference somewhere in the books.

Hotel new Hampshie is my all time fave, couldn't get into Owen Meany - may try again after this thread.

Sorry, Hotel New Hampshire

Mrs M - it's very loose, which is why it doesn't have his name in the title.

I can't bring myself to watch it but I very rarely like film adaptations of favourite books