A Prayer For Owen Meany
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 326,657 ratings, 16,865 reviews)Read More
Found a better price? Request a price match
A Prayer For Owen Meany
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
A Prayer For Owen Meany
Eleven-year-old Owen Meany, playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire, hits a foul ball and kills his best friend's mother. Owen doesn't believe in accidents; he believes he is God's instrument. What happens to Owen after that 1953 foul ball is both extraordinary and terrifying.
A masterpiece from one of the great contemporary American writers.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! DescriptionA Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving is a compelling narrative that melds humour, tragedy, and faith into an unforgettable story. Set in the small-town backdrop of Gravesend, New Hampshire, the novel begins in the summer of 1953. Eleven-year-old John Wheelwright and his best friend, the diminutive yet brilliant Owen Meany, are playing in a Little League baseball game. A seemingly mundane event takes a tragic turn when Owen hits a foul ball that strikes and kills John’s mother, changing the course of their lives forever.
Although the incident is dismissed as a tragic accident by others, Owen believes he is an instrument of God, sent to Earth with a divine purpose. As the boys transition into adulthood amid the turbulent times of the Vietnam War, a series of extraordinary events appear to corroborate Owen’s convictions. His unwavering faith and peculiarities bring both comic relief and profound introspection to those around him, making Owen one of literature’s most intriguing characters.
With A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving crafts a story that is marvellously funny yet deeply poignant. This novel delves into themes of destiny, faith, and friendship, engaging readers with its richly drawn characters and intricate plotlines. The narrative is imbued with Irving’s characteristic wit and a keen sense of the human condition, making it not only entertaining but also profoundly moving.
Stephen King writes, “So extraordinary, so original, and so enriching,” praising the novel’s unique appeal. The Independent calls it “a work of genius”, while the Observer suggests it “may justly join the classic American list”. The Spectator notes it is “marvellously funny”, emphasizing the rare balance between serious themes and light-hearted moments.
If you are fortunate enough to find a way of life you love, you must muster the courage to live it—this is the core message of A Prayer for Owen Meany. Through a unforgettable journey marked by destiny and friendship, Irving's masterpiece invites readers to reflect on their own beliefs and the forces that shape their lives. Immerse yourself in this remarkable classic by the bestselling author of The World According to Garp, and experience a narrative that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
A Prayer For Owen Meany is praised for its genius, inventive flow, and fascinating prose. The book is noted for its originality and profound depth. It combines humour with serious themes, making it both entertaining and enriching. Critics consider it a potential classic, describing it as a heartbreaking and ambitious masterpiece.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780552993692
Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 01 May 1990
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Black Swan
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 46.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 500g
Pages: 720
Collections
About the Author
John Irving published his first novel, Setting Free the Bears, in 1968. He has been nominated for a National Book Award three times - winning once, in 1980, for the novel The World According to Garp. He also received an O. Henry Award in 1981 for the short story 'Interior Space'. In 1992, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. In 2000, he won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Cider House Rules - a film with seven Academy Award nominations. In 2001, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His most recent novel is Last Night in Twisted River.
Also by John Irving
View allMore from General Fiction
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent specialist on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our cozy 200m2 warehouse in Auckland holds over 10,000 books in-stock so you're not waiting for books to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Pick Ups
We're an online-only store but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.