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A Prayer for Owen Meany

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A Prayer for Owen Meany

By: John Irving
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
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About this listen

Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)

Of all of John Irving's books, this is the one that lends itself best to audio. In print, Owen Meany's dialogue is set in capital letters; for this production, Irving himself selected Joe Barrett to deliver Meany's difficult voice as intended.

In the summer of 1953, two 11-year-old boys – best friends – are playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire. One of the boys hits a foul ball that kills the other boy's mother. The boy who hits the ball doesn't believe in accidents; Owen Meany believes he is God's instrument. What happens to Owen after that 1953 foul ball is extraordinary and terrifying.

As an added bonus, when you purchase our Audible Modern Vanguard production of John Irving's book, you'll also get an exclusive Jim Atlas interview that begins when the audiobook ends.

Why we think it’s a great listen: For 20 years, John Irving believed that his ambitious novel could never be adequately executed in audio – and then he met narrator Joe Barrett.... In the summer of 1953, two 11-year-old boys - best friends - are playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire. One of the boys hits a foul ball that kills the other boy's mother. The boy who hits the ball doesn't believe in accidents; Owen Meany believes he is God's instrument.

©1989 Garp Enterprises Ltd (P)2008 Audible, Inc. Christian Fiction Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking

Critic Reviews

“John Irving, who writes novels in the unglamorous but effective way Babe Ruth used to hit home runs, deserves a medal not only for writing this book but for the way he has written it. . . . A Prayer for Owen Meany is a rare creation in the somehow exhausted world of late twentieth-century fiction—it is an amazingly brave piece of work . . . so extraordinary, so original, and so enriching. . . . Readers will come to the end feeling sorry to leave [this] richly textured and carefully wrought world.” (Stephen King)
"Roomy, intelligent, exhilarating, and darkly comic...Dickensian in scope....Quite stunning and very ambitious." ( Los Angeles Times Book Review)
"This moving book comes across like a concerto in this audio version, with a soloist—Owen's voice—rising from the background of an orchestral narration. This book, one of the finest of its time, gets the narration that it deserves." ( AudioFile)
All stars
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This compelling and moving story of faith, friendship and American politics in the 1950s and 60s kept me intrigued from beginning to end. Each event that occurs is important as the story unfolds, and the clever way everything is ultimately linked makes for a very satisfying conclusion.

Joe Barrett's narration is nothing short of superb. All characters, both male and female, are so well represented, but especially the voice of Owen Meany which I had expected to find irritating, but instead found quite appealing.

It's a long book - 26 hours - but I couldn't stop listening to it. Usually I listen to audiobooks when out on my morning walk, but in the end I sat in a chair and listened for hours, and then was sorry when it ended.

There is a very interesting 25 minute interview with John Irving at the end which throws light on his writing process, and also gives further insight into the two main characters in ways I hadn't considered.

I thoroughly recommend A Prayer For Owen Meany and will definitely be trying other books by John Irving on the strength of this.

Brilliant!

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Owen was recommended to me years ago by my best mate who had an inkling I’d like it . I’ve just revisited him on audible and was as entranced as I was the first time. Such a special book, it will stay with me forever.

Was and always will be the best book I’ve ever read

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This has been my favourite book since I first read it years ago. The audiobook has increased my love of this wonderful tragic novel. The narration was nearly perfect. That's only because I can't imagine anyone doing justice to Owen's voice. But this is as close as you can get. Warning - do not listen to the last chapter while driving. I knew the ending and still had to pull over.

Near Perfect

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It’s a moving story that affected me in so many levels a I want it to finish and not finish its was so sad and whilst the events where fictional it felt like my own early life it felt real and how we grow and perceive

It’s a moving story

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I had seen the movie of Ciderhouse Rules but I didn't know the author. Audible put Prayer on specia so I listened to a sample and was hooked. What stands out the most for me is the depth of characterisation. we know why they did what they did and being consistent we sometimes know how they will act next. And did I salute the plot? it's a story worth telling and huge insights into the mind of USA esp about the Vietnam war. it's a jigsaw but the pieces fit perfectly. Superb narration.

I never knew

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I'll be ruminating on this book for a very long time. There are many levels to this story and many many aha moments. I can't wait to read more John Irving books. What a pity Audible hasn't more John Irving books.

A Thought Provoking Read .

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I read this book about 10 years ago and it became one of my favourites! I chose it as my first audio book and I am so glad I did. Joe Barrett’s narrative had me hooked from the beginning and hearing Owen Meany’s voice was just perfect. Because I was able hear their voices it added an extra layer to the story for me and and I’m not ashamed to admit I was more emotionally invested in the characters. I knew how the story ended but it didn’t stop me from bawling like a baby and I wanted to hug both Owen and Johnny. Loved it!

This is one of my favourite books of all time!

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John Irving is such a wonderful story teller. This has always been one of my all time favourites. It was amazing to listen to it this time. So many laughs and tears in this story.

I would give it 10 stars if I could.

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This novel was chosen for my Book club, most members were not keen on it. Having the Audio Book was a great way to hear this story whilst driving. I think if others had listened to the book there would have been an increase in positive ratings as the size of the book was of putting for some.

Thought provoking, great introduction to Irving

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Loved every minute of it. The ending tied everything together perfectly and made quite a satisfying end.

Fantastic book!

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