A Prayer for Owen Meany: Summary

A Prayer for Owen Meany is a novel by John Irving that follows the story of two boys, Owen Meany and John Wheelwright, as they grow up in a small New England town. The novel deals with themes of faith, fate, and destiny, as well as exploring the power of friendship and loyalty. Through the story of Owen and John, Irving examines how faith can be tested in difficult times and how it can ultimately bring hope and healing. The novel also explores the idea of predestination, suggesting that some people may have been destined to do great things despite their circumstances or background. Finally, A Prayer for Owen Meany is an exploration of the idea of “God’s will” and how it can shape a person’s life.

1. What themes are most prominent in the novel?
2. What is the significance of the title?
3. What do you think motivated John's obsession with Owen?
4. How does John's faith develop throughout the novel?
5. What were some of the most memorable moments in the novel?
6. How does Owen's character change over time?
7. What was your reaction to the ending of the novel?
8. Do you think there is a central message in A Prayer for Owen Meany?
9. How does the author use symbolism to tell a story in this novel?
10. How does this book compare to other books you have read by John Irving?

• A Prayer for Owen Meany is an incredibly powerful and thought-provoking novel that touches on a variety of topics.
• The book's exploration of faith and destiny is especially compelling and resonates deeply with readers.
• John Irving's masterful use of symbolism throughout the novel adds an extra layer of complexity to the story.
• The character development in A Prayer for Owen Meany is superb - each character has their own unique motivations and backstories that are revealed as the story progresses.
• The relationships between Owen and John, as well as other characters, are expertly crafted and portrayed.
• It's remarkable how Irving manages to combine elements of comedy, tragedy, and fantasy into one cohesive narrative.
• The book features a unique narrative structure that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
• The themes of loyalty, friendship, and loss explored in this novel are universal and timeless.
• A Prayer for Owen Meany is a thought-provoking masterpiece that will stay with readers long after they finish reading it.
• The book's message of hope amidst despair is inspiring, making it a must-read for anyone looking for a life-affirming story about resilience and courage in the face of adversity.

1. "I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice-- not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death, but because he is the reason I believe in God."
2. "When someone you love dies, and you're not expecting it, you don't lose her all at once; you lose her in pieces over a long time--the way the mail stops coming, and her scent fades from the pillows and even from the clothes in her closet and drawers. Gradually, you accumulate the parts of her that are gone."
3. "Owen Meany is less than nothing; he is dust in the balance. He means less to himself than he does to me--and that's why I'm going to do what I have to do."
4. "Sometimes I can hear my bones straining under the weight of all the lives I'm not living."
5. "God doesn't want us to be perfect; He wants us to be whole."

1. A Prayer for Owen Meany (1998) - Direct-to-video adaptation of the novel, starring Lukas Haas as Owen Meany and John Heard as John Wheelwright. 2. The Story of Owen Meany (2020) - Short film adaptation of the novel, directed by Ryan O'Nan, starring Thomas Mann and Christine Woods. 3. Owen Meany's Christmas Carol (2012) - An original radio play, commissioned by WAMC Northeast Public Radio and written by Seth Jarvis, based on A Prayer for Owen Meany. 4. A Prayer for Owen Meany: An Audio Play (2019) – Audio play adaptation of the novel, starring Russell Harvard as Owen Meany and Christopher Gorham as John Wheelwright.

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