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A review by sandiet
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
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.