I have just read A Prayer For Owen Meany

[HumphreyCobbler]

What a brilliant book it is.

I chose it as it has been mentioned so much on here, so thanks!

Apart from everything else, I loved it that it mentioned Robertson Davies with such insight and affection.

Really looking forward to reading some more of his now.

Will probably give Owen Meany a go. Have been looking for it but the library never seems to have it in.

Owen Meany is one of my faves. I read The Fourth Hand for a book group a few years back, it was universally reviled!!

wonderful thread! i love all the early ones esp owen meany. hated the circus one but got woidow for one year from charity shop and really liked it, in fact have been thinking about it all week and planning to reread it asap Do try it!

does anyone else like joyce carol oates and peter care? very similar thicky weighty (Intellectually) style

Have read one Peter Carey which I liked but have totally forgotten the name of it at the mo.

Something to do with Pretending or Faking or something?

my life as a fake?
haven't read that one yet - look forward to it!

Oh really like his earlier stuff too, but Widow for One year is actually my fave.

Afraid I gave up on Until I find You. It was like being hit over a head with stick while someone shouted "do you see? do you see the subtext??"

Oh I loved this book! I read it many years ago. Now thinking it deserves a re-read.

Also loved The World According to Garp.

My Life As A Fake - That's it! yes, it was pretty good, although I seem to remember being a bit disappointed by the ending - but then I often am.

Why is 'Widow' your fave, Squeaver? Since this is the only one I've read, it would be good to know what others thought of it.

Not sure why, actually, it's just stayed with me longer. The characters and plot, I mean. It's a LONG time since I read it but I can still remember certain scenes.

Clearly an alternative career as a literary critic beckons...

owen meany is simply brilliant, different and audacious (wow never thought i'd use that on MN) but widow for one year is much deeper and stays with you, doesn't it? i keep thinking about it and haven't 'finished' with it in my own mind yet.

cross posed with squeaver - completely agree, if you haven't liked irving, try this one

John Irving is reading from his new book at the South Bank London in October, I believe. The wife and I are going.

Widow for One Year was made into a Jeff Bridges film called something like 'the door in the floor' or some quote like that, I think. Twas good.

Never, ever be tempted to see the film of Owen Meany.

belfastbloke, thanks for this! here is teh link to the guardian review of the film. and i'm getting it via tesco dvd rental! and i've booked tickets for JI in October
THank goodness for MN

I actually woke up in the night and cried about the end of Owen Meany. I haven't done that since I thought about Round the Bend by Neville Shute.

Hotel New Hampshire is on order, I went into a bookshop but they didn't have any Irving. I am genuinely excited about reading it, that hasn't happened to me in ages. Used to happen all the time when I was a child and teenager.

BelfastBloke: Is there a film of Owen Meany??!! Had no idea. Why is it so bad then?

oh I love this book

one day I'm going to have to go off by myself and re-read it and I will sob and sob and sob

I loved Owen Meany when I read it, and I liked Son of the Circus too, Cider House Rules is a stand alone stunner, a book to be given to all those who want to ban legal abortions, . I almost gave up on the 4th hand, but struggled through it, but it was so crap I've not read any Irving since. (the only good bit is how he loses his hand, it goes down hill to tedium very fast after that!)

Should I try some others? Go on, encourage me......

The film of Owen Meany is called 'Simon Birch'. They had to change the name because JI wouldn't give permission. I haven't seen it, but everyone who has says it's a brutal adaptation.

See you there, overthemill!

Let us know what you think of the Door in the Floor film.

I actually saw the Door in the Floor. It was good (from what I remember) but not great. But definitely not horrible like it seems the Owen Meany book is.

Cider house rules is fantastic too actually. I still remember the abortion thread in the book; has stayed with me after so many years!

Hotel New Hampshire is good too...fab characters

Belfast Bloke - thanks so much! I just chanced on this thread, as another lover of Owen Meany, and had no idea John Irving was coming to the South Bank (not getting out much these days!). Have now booked a ticket!