Tuesday, February 9, 2010

A Prayer for Owen Meany?

I'm reading a Prayer for Owen Meany and it is well-written and enjoyable, but it is long and I'm just not feeling it. It's too easy to put down and I don't know if the library will tolerate how long it may take me to finish it at the rate I'm going.

So does it get better? Not that it's not good, but does it get more captivating or interesting at any point or have some beautiful or stunning ending?

I'm around the time of the Christmas pageant now.

Please advise.

22 comments:

TH said...

It's been awhile since I read it (YEARS), but I DO remember thinking it was a very good boook. Don't watch the movie though (it goes by a different name). It sucked.

After your post yesterday re: Tom & Jerry, I wanted to recommend you read The Help...deals with some of the exact themes you were talking about regarding black women and the roles they have held in white people's lives. Very well written and a VERY good book!

Anonymous said...

Keep reading. Sometimes his books are slow in the beginning, but I promise you that this one is worth it - one of my all time favorites!

P.S. Love your blog!

Samma said...

This has nothing to do at all with Owen Meany (sorry), but I saw this and de-lurked because I thought you would appreciate an article about hedgehog fat camp- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/7196379/Chubby-hedgehogs-sent-to-fat-club-to-diet.html

Unknown said...

Too funny, Samma! Mr. Ashley started saying Reggie weighed 4 lbs and would get stuck in his tube one day, so I got his wheel out again and he's running like he's training for a marathon! Every night! I don't think he's handicapped anymore, but it is hard to tell because of his belly pouch.

And okay, I'll renew the book and keep at it! He is a great writer, I just need a good, quick escape read and this isn't it.

SkitzoLeezra said...

Take a bread and read a piece of junk food book then go back to Owen Meany. It is a great story.

jenn said...

Absolutely finish the book, Ashley. It has one of the best endings ever. I literally forced my husband to read it, it was so good. He still lists is as one of his favorite books.

kent said...

I read it a long time ago as well, but I remember liking it a lot. Stick with it! (unless you finish and are still bored by it, then please disregard this comment)

Anonymous said...

I know this isn't going to be a popular comment, but I think this is a highly overrated book. The shenanigans with the font when Owen spoke irritated me, I predicted the end on like page 16, and I felt emotionally manipulated by the ending.
;) No offense to anyone who loved it, I can see why they did/do. It just did not do it for me and this is why.

Rebekah said...

John Irving is one of my top two favorite authors, and Owen Meaney is one of my favorite books of his. Stick with it, it has a very memorable wrap up.

Have you ever read any other Irving? All his books chronicle the entire life of several characters, so they are long, but the are nearly always soooo worth the read.

Allison said...

It is in my top 5 favorite books ever! It will make you laugh one page and cry the next. Keep reading!

Nichole said...

This is my first post here but when I saw the words Owen Meany I had to comment.

You absolutely have to read all the way to the end. The book does get better and better, but the last few chapters are just incredible. I have bought numerous copies and given them away because it's one of those books I think everyone should read.

Nica said...

amazing amazing amazing ending. the last 50 or so pages make the book. it is SO SLOW the first half but i adored the last few chapters

Human runner said...

I felt the same way about that book. It must be good - enough people have said so - but I just couldn't get into it and I never did finish it. Then again, I am a notorious slacker when it comes to reading. If given a choice between People magazine/Marian Keyes/Sophia Kinsella and Moby Dick/Jane Eyre/most classics, I am sorry to say I'd choose the former... :-/

Unknown said...

I, too, attempted to read this book. I got bored and quit.

~Melissa~ said...

If you need a quick escape read, check out The Samurai's Garden. It's beautifully written and sucks you in so you stay up too late and shirk all your weekend duties to read it. Not that I'd know of course. Hhem.

Melissa said...

I just finished that one a couple weeks ago! It takes awhile to get into it. It seemed rambling and disjointed for the first 2/3 of the book. But KEEP READING! It all comes together amazingly, heartbreakingly, wonderfully well. It's worth it.

Just keep reading. :)

~Gretchen~ said...

I love, love the book. It's one of those I treasure. Yes, the font thing is irksome, but there are just so many great moments in it. Irving's writing style does require a bit of attention span, though . . .

Unknown said...

Owen Meany is one of my favorite John Irving books! The ending is really incredible-stick it out. Totally worth it.

Eileen said...

ok, now I want to read owen meany! going to check with my bookie friends who have everything, if nobody has it, I will break down and buy it. for a quick read, suck you in book (trust me, you will be cursing me for telling you to read it) you will have it read in less than 24 hours, probably straight! it is called "she's come undone" by wally lamb. so, so, so good. the only book i have ever read twice!

Nancy said...

Owen Meany is a superb book. Don't give up!

Lost In Tarnation said...

It's one of my favorite books, but it's been forever since I've read it. Stick with it.

~Gerber

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