Sarah

In all of the books I’ve read in my life, Owen Meany is the first character whose voice I cannot hear in my head. To something may seem like a fault by the author, but it’s an ode to him. The fact that I can’t hear his voice attributes to the details John Irving poured into explaining Owen’s unique voice. These details don’t stop at Owen but are seen in all the characters, each with their own depth and special traits. In John Irving’s  A Prayer For Owen Meany he writes the life of Jonny who is friends with Owen. But as John reflects on his life, it isn’t a book about himself- it’s about Owen. This detail brings a deeper feeling to Irving’s work that reflects the loyalty these two shore for each other which makes it a compelling read; a novel that should be read by all.

John Irving’s style of writing is gracefully controlled, thick with it’s information. He goes through Johnny’s life and packs it with so much information that it’s easy to see the world through John’s eyes, in his thoughts. To a point the information is too much, making the read heavy but makes up for that with his rich descriptions that make the book a page turner. It doesn’t necessarily seem that way a first glance; it’s heavy weight and small print would throw off any inexperienced reader. But I believe the book is worth it because the reader walks away with so much more then just a book to read.

Having read the book myself, I can attain to that statement; you remember these characters long after you set the book down. They teach you lessons and make you want to better yourself in some ways that they have; their fulfilling characters and Irving gives them depth.

Owen Meany is the underdog and America believes in nothing more then that. With his small stature and thrilling voice, you can’t help but root from him in the end. It’s almost a tease only having to read about Owen; like Johnny’s mother or Hester, you want to reach out and touch Owen, but restricted by sentences. Owen teaches us about loyalty and unwavering faith, and in some ways you want to be like him.

As you read A Prayer For Owen Meany, you find yourself rooting for Owen. You want him to succeed, beat the odds against him, and see where the future takes him and Johnny. Irving shines through with his beautiful talent through this action he creates; you root for him, even without realizing it.