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A Prayer For Owen Meany

a ‘genius’ modern American classic
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( 326,657 ratings, 16,865 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving follows the life of John Wheelwright and his best friend, Owen Meany, a peculiar boy with a unique voice and strong faith. Their bond is tested by tragedy, fate, and the search for meaning, leading to profound revelations about destiny and faith.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate deeply moving stories about friendship and faith, with a blend of humour and tragedy. This novel explores themes of destiny and purpose through the life of an unforgettable character, making it a rich and thought-provoking read.

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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! Description

A 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.

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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

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.

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