Short Fiction, Writers Reading

Writers Read: A Prayer For Owen Meany

ireneallison12

A Prayer For Owen Meany

John Irving

1989

I found this novel lying outside my door about ten years ago. I still don’t know who put it there, but whoever did it had a unique taste.

Unique describes most of John Irving’s novels. His The World According to Garp and The Hotel New Hampshire fit the description–as most certainly does A Prayer For Owen Meany.

Set in New Hampshire in the 1950’s and 60’s it’s a powerful culmination of little and large, often unconnected events, mysticism, God and with a bit of the Passion Play and the Scarlet Letter mixed in for both kicks and meaning.

Mostly it is about the bond of a lifelong friendship between Owen and the narrator, Johnny. It is set in a series of interrelated books, each focused on a specific theme. Much of what occurs between the boys’ early childhood, leading to a heartbreaking climax, forced on Owen, appears to be by the hand of God. Owen sees ahead, or thinks he does, and he doesn’t like what he sees coming his way. So he concocts little plans to thwart Heaven, but all of those figured into the plan. By the end you are impressed by the way the author seamlessly pulls it all together.

Irving excels at believable oddball characters whom you can still relate to (here, you’ll meet “Hester the Molester”). That is a tremendous talent because almost anyone can be weird, but to do so with the intention of creating a little universe to share is remarkable. He also tends to break the staid rules of fiction–which, I think is a case of a trained Shakespearean actor who knows the iambic pentameter, yet better, knows how to disregard it with a desired effect. And I also suspect Irving of inspiring all the “quirky” little films that popped up in the 80’s and early 90’s. His own Garp and Hotel New Hampshire are there, but so are similar things created by others such as Benny and Joon and Used People.

It’s a wonderful book; If you haven’t read it you shouldn’t wait until the Book Faerie comes to your door.

Leila

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Published by ireneallison12

17 thoughts on “Writers Read: A Prayer For Owen Meany”

  4. Hi Leila
    That’s a wild story about this book appearing outside your door unannounced. The universe works in cool ways for those of us who open our eyes. It almost sounds like a story that could have appeared in one of Irving’s own novels; and that’s totally cool.
    Thanks for resurrecting this writer in my own brain. I discovered Irving when I was still too young to understand half the jokes, but I devoured Garp and New Hampshire at least three or four times a piece and then more by the time I was 15 and 16 or so. Literally devoured them, as in read them to pieces, read and reread these two books so often that they almost fell apart and were covered with marginal notations and underlined sentences in colored marker etc etc.
    Back then, Irving seemed like the new Charles Dickens to me. Even though much of the humor went over my head, I was fascinated by his clear prose, his wild imagination, his sympathy for the underdog and outsider, his plethora of wild and relatable characters. Garp as the figure of the writer became the figure of the writer in my own mind during some very crucial formative months and a couple of years. I was also a wrestler which I started before I discovered Garp but was inspired to do more of because of him.
    Garp and New Hampshire are actually the only two Irving novels I’ve ever read, those and large sections of Cider House Rules, which I also liked.
    Thanks for this recommendation! This is a book I’ve of course heard of but never read. I’ll be checking it out, probably literally out of the library which is something I still do a lot of. Right now I have at least 30 books checked out of two different libraries all stacked against my wall. I find that carrying that many books around smells good and is good for the muscles, heart, and brain (and soul).
    Thank you Leila! Might I add that you have an open-hearted, charming way of writing that is both endearing and enchanting!
    Dale

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    1. Good Sunday Dale
      Indeed it was strange. I wanted to look at it when I wrote this thing but couldn’t find it. I like thinking it is a magic book, but I probably passed it to a friend. Many years have gone by.
      I am also two for two there because I found a copy of The Kite Runner in a “Free Stuff” basket in the laundry room. Another good one.
      Glad you like Irving, and I am sure you will like little Owen and Johnny. I know what it’s like to have a big pile to read through, even with Kindle.
      Thank you!
      Leila

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      1. Leila

        It sounds like the time gangbangers started tagging my garage. And I called the police because I was a bit freaked out. The police told me the signs meant “Don’t touch this person.” So it made me wonder two things. One: Was someone out to get me? and B. Who were the other someones who were out to protect me?

        Either way, a book appearing outside your door like that sure sounds like magic 2 me!

        Mucho gracias…

        Dale

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      2. Leila

        I dreamed up a theory about why someone put that particular book in front of your particular door.

        While the details may be off a little bit, I’m almost certain the poetic truth of my theory is spot on.

        Dale

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  5. Hi Leila,

    Written with your usual charm and intelligence. As always you tweak interest.

    The only thing that turns up at my door is some twat with a summons!!!

    Aw the best.

    Hugh

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  6. This is the only Irving book I’ve read and not sure why I haven’t read more as I thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a simple, everyday nature about it combined with a sense of the grand and destiny which I thought was great. I should get onto more of his work.

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    1. Hello Paul

      Garp is his best known and very good, but for entertainment value, The Hotel New Hampshire is the way to go. It features a Dancing Bear, Creepy Stuffed Dog, Intellectual terrorism and a MC who really really likes his sister in the Scarface way. And it all works.

      Thank you and we look forward to seeing your Our Harbour rerun on May the Fouth Be With You Sunday.

      Leila

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  7. Thanks for the entertaining recommendation, Leila. I read Garp, donkeys years ago in my mid-teens, when I was splurging on 1950s/60s American writers and now remember almost nothing about it. So high time I gave Irving another go. bw Mick

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  8. Hi Leila

    I’ll have to check out some of his work. Thanks. A strange event how that book ended up on your doorstep.

    About 16 -17 years ago a little white Chihuahua puppy in a dog bed ended up on my doorstep. It baffled me, I looked around like “Say what?” But someone had to take care of the little guy. I got attached to him and named him “Buddy.” Taking him around showing him off. I thought we were going to be BFFs. “Mi casa su casa, Buddy. Sure you can have some more dog food. Of-course you can come up on the couch.” Everything was great and he was sweet not like some of those feisty little devils.

    My mom read in the newspaper someone was looking for the puppy and she turned me in. Like I had done something wrong. Then the “Supposed” owner came with a very stoic cop to my doorstep. I pleaded my case but this woman that stared me down like I was a criminal, claimed Buddy was micro-chipped and they took him away.

    Christopher

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