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steverese's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
savaging's review against another edition
2.0
There were aspects I loved about this book, like the slow movement through childhood, or the stern old testament semi-maltheist view of God. But I couldn't ever drum up enthusiasm for the lake-woe-be-gone style narrative nostalgia, and I was always eye-rolling about the depiction of women as either delectably-breasted or horrible. Also: underneath the narrative rustled a persistent misanthropy, played off as generic New England curmudgeonry, which distracted me from the bits that I think were supposed to be 'heart-touching.'
achillesheeled's review against another edition
4.0
"I LOVE YOU," Owen told me, "NOTHING BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU--TRUST ME."
wish i hadnt tried to finish this in like a weekend lol but i liked it. very intricate
wish i hadnt tried to finish this in like a weekend lol but i liked it. very intricate
jennrocca's review against another edition
It took me a month to get through 149 pages. Then I gave up. There are characters, and they’re good characters, but there is no discernible plot. Nothing pulled me along in the story and I finally gave up.
guppyur's review against another edition
5.0
Some books are so powerfully affective that they instantly catapult themselves into one's list of favorites. This is one of those.
I've never read Irving before, so I don't know how typical this book is for him. (Now that I've corrected that oversight, I will be continuing to read him.) This is not a book with a complex, labyrinthine plot; it's principally about its characters, especially Owen itself, and it's difficult to write anything approaching a synopsis. Let me say instead that it deals with themes like faith, loss, war, and death, and hope that's enough. It's set largely in hindsight, of the late 1960s, from the perspective of the late 1980s.
The major events are few in number but great in impact. As a character study, it's an incredible one. Irving builds characters so vividly that they feel like real people.
I really liked this book, but it's hard to know what to say about it. There's little point in a plot summary, and I wouldn't want to cheapen it by revealing too much. Know going in that it's dense and reasonably lengthy, and that it's a serious work even if I laughed out loud on occasion while reading it. It handles itself well, avoiding cheapness that it could easily have wallowed in. Definitely worth reading.
I've never read Irving before, so I don't know how typical this book is for him. (Now that I've corrected that oversight, I will be continuing to read him.) This is not a book with a complex, labyrinthine plot; it's principally about its characters, especially Owen itself, and it's difficult to write anything approaching a synopsis. Let me say instead that it deals with themes like faith, loss, war, and death, and hope that's enough. It's set largely in hindsight, of the late 1960s, from the perspective of the late 1980s.
The major events are few in number but great in impact. As a character study, it's an incredible one. Irving builds characters so vividly that they feel like real people.
I really liked this book, but it's hard to know what to say about it. There's little point in a plot summary, and I wouldn't want to cheapen it by revealing too much. Know going in that it's dense and reasonably lengthy, and that it's a serious work even if I laughed out loud on occasion while reading it. It handles itself well, avoiding cheapness that it could easily have wallowed in. Definitely worth reading.
frathousereads's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
jabitt1's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
abbielisabeth's review against another edition
Will continue when I can get it back from the library 🥲
sandiet's review against another edition
4.0
The book starts off very slow and at times I thought “will I ever get through it” but I persevered and was rewarded with a fabulously written story about faith.
The main thread throughout this novel is teaching...teaching tolerance for those who are different, tolerance for other religions, tolerance for change and tolerance for politics.
The story is told through the eyes of an adult John Wheelwright, Owen Meany’s best friend. The events that take place during the 1950’s and 1960’s are what have shaped John’s belief in God. One of these events is the tragic death of John’s mother as a result of a foul ball at a baseball game, a ball that was hit by Owen Meany. Despite this terrible tragedy John and Owen remain friends and as this book follows their escapades, trials and tribulations we learn what their childhoods were like and how John has learned to deal with his mother’s death. We also realize that Owen has an unshakeable belief in God despite what others might consider to be a hard life.
John Irving tries to bring us closer to Jesus by mirroring Owen as a present day Jesus because he is simultaneously ridiculed and praised by friends, teachers and family.
There is a line in the book when Owen states “Faith Takes Patience”.
Isn’t that so true? We often expect things occurring around us to make sense, prayers to be answered immediately, to just be able understand what is happening around us. Owen has that patience and true faith. He never doubts what his purpose is and throughout the book you will find he has many.
For those who have read some of Irving’s novels you will know his language can be crude at times, but it is always for emphasis and not used just for the sake of shock reading. Do not let that discourage you, if you have not read this book, or even read it many years ago, I urge you to go to your local library and borrow it. Persevere through the first couple of chapters and you will be richly rewarded with a great story about faith, love and hope.
The main thread throughout this novel is teaching...teaching tolerance for those who are different, tolerance for other religions, tolerance for change and tolerance for politics.
The story is told through the eyes of an adult John Wheelwright, Owen Meany’s best friend. The events that take place during the 1950’s and 1960’s are what have shaped John’s belief in God. One of these events is the tragic death of John’s mother as a result of a foul ball at a baseball game, a ball that was hit by Owen Meany. Despite this terrible tragedy John and Owen remain friends and as this book follows their escapades, trials and tribulations we learn what their childhoods were like and how John has learned to deal with his mother’s death. We also realize that Owen has an unshakeable belief in God despite what others might consider to be a hard life.
John Irving tries to bring us closer to Jesus by mirroring Owen as a present day Jesus because he is simultaneously ridiculed and praised by friends, teachers and family.
There is a line in the book when Owen states “Faith Takes Patience”.
Isn’t that so true? We often expect things occurring around us to make sense, prayers to be answered immediately, to just be able understand what is happening around us. Owen has that patience and true faith. He never doubts what his purpose is and throughout the book you will find he has many.
For those who have read some of Irving’s novels you will know his language can be crude at times, but it is always for emphasis and not used just for the sake of shock reading. Do not let that discourage you, if you have not read this book, or even read it many years ago, I urge you to go to your local library and borrow it. Persevere through the first couple of chapters and you will be richly rewarded with a great story about faith, love and hope.