Questions About A Prayer for Owen Meany

by John Irving (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (22)

Would this book be interesting for a non-Christian? How serious are the religious undertones?

Neil Procter I'm an atheist and this is one of my favourite books. Yes it is about one person's belief in a supreme being coming as the result of the events he wit…moreI'm an atheist and this is one of my favourite books. Yes it is about one person's belief in a supreme being coming as the result of the events he witnesses, but it is not a Christian tract. I don't know what John Irving's religious beliefs are but I wouldn't dare assume form this book that he is a believer. It is a fiction, whose narrator has found reason to believe in God through the events that befall him. If an author wrote a book about a vicar it wouldn't mean it was a book just for Christians.(less)

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I am afraid of large books because I usually rent from the library, and I never seem to finish them on time, regardless of myself taking them out again. I am a pretty slow reader. How long did it take to read this book?

Nina You're right Magdalen, it is a very slow read and he repeats a lot. I got impatient at how long it was taking me, but I more or less enjoyed it. I lov…moreYou're right Magdalen, it is a very slow read and he repeats a lot. I got impatient at how long it was taking me, but I more or less enjoyed it. I love the movie Simon Birch which was "inspired" by this book and that movie only includes about 20% of the book and changes a lot.

Oh, just as a random comment, it always surprises me to see on literary sites such as this, the mis-use of the word "it's" when "its" is correct. If you are unsure of its usage, simply replace "it is" and see if the sentence still works....English grammar 101 people.(less)

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There is so much foreshadowing hinting that Mr. Fish is Owen's father that I'm sure he is despite the book never saying so. What do you think?

Dawn Gosse I think you didn't finish the book.…moreI think you didn't finish the book.(less)

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There are many 5-star ratings for this book-- my question is in two parts: (a) Is there anyone here who is non-religious who rated it 5 stars? (b) Those who rated it 5 stars, did you rate it that highly because of its religious themes, in spite of them, or do you consider them not relevant to your rating?

Fenrir I am an atheist and I rated it 5 stars. "I am a Christian because of Owen Meany" -- I choose to read this as "I am a Christian FOR of Owen Meany".
The…moreI am an atheist and I rated it 5 stars. "I am a Christian because of Owen Meany" -- I choose to read this as "I am a Christian FOR of Owen Meany".
The strong religious belief of the narrator can be understood not as an act of faith, but as an act of love. He believes so that he can bear witness to his friend’s life, to give testimony, to honor it. In that sense, the religious aspects become inherently social and that is something even I can understand. The religious content has not bothered me once, even though I personally don’t believe, it’s all just part of a brilliant book.

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Jackie O'sullivan also the hint of how he practised very specific phrases in Vietnamese that John discovered in Owen's diary. Many Asian languages have a high pitched, …morealso the hint of how he practised very specific phrases in Vietnamese that John discovered in Owen's diary. Many Asian languages have a high pitched, tonal quality to them that does not appear in latin/greek based languages. Am am almost at the close of this book now and it has been a glorious read in the final 25%. Well worth the effort(less)

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