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A Prayer for Owen Meany (平装)
by John Irving
| Category:
Fiction |
| Market price: ¥ 108.00
MSL price:
¥ 98.00
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MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
John Irving’s masterpiece, in which he has created an awe-inspiring character of Owen Meany, a funny little guy with a big heart and a brave soul. A tale of faith, love and life. |
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AllReviews |
1 2   | Total 2 pages 13 items |
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Stephen King (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
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. |
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Los Angeles Times Book Review (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
Roomy, intelligent, exhilarating and darkly comic... Quite stunning. |
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Perry (MSL quote), Canada
<2007-01-09 00:00>
I was hooked from the first sentence… "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; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany."
This is a fantastic book of just over 600 pages, with not a dull moment! There is something for everyone it seems, from politics to religion to philosophy to education. John Irving, the masterful storyteller, has created wonderfully compelling three dimensional characters who are as real as your own family. You'll care so deeply about the characters that you'll hold your breath and hope they are safe.
The main character, Owen Meany, has seared a place in my heart and mind for eternity. Owen the teacher, philosopher, leader, loyal friend, mediator, comedian, sage, and Voice for the underdog. In spite of his diminutive size, Owen's presence is prodigious and he is admittedly at times manipulative. I promise you though, you will fall in love with him and you will carry him around in your heart forever.
I wish I could give this book ten stars… but alas, there are only five. Look closely at one of the brightest stars, and you will see Owen.
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Angela Hack (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
This is the best book ever written. Period. Nothing compares. A Prayer for Owen Meany begins with the most beautifully written first line: "I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice...” Marvelous! The only downside is that it is a writer's nightmare!!! I fancied myself a writer until I read this book, then I laid it down and surrendered. I would rather gorge myself on the work of GREAT writers, like Irving, then spend a day writing mediocre fiction. I read this book at least twice a year (for the last 10 years) and I am never disappointed. BUY THIS BOOK. And if you love your friends buy them copies, too. You will laugh out loud, you will sob uncontrollably, you will start rereading it the minute you finish it. |
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Nick (MSL quote), Switzerland
<2007-01-09 00:00>
I had never read any of Irving's work before this one; and I must say I did not expect so much. But here's the thing: this novel is a true classic if I ever read one. This is but my humble opinion, but I do believe that Irving's masterpiece is well worthy of Moby Dick (for instance), and, still in my humble opinion, probably a better novel; but comparisons are meaningless. I like pizzas AND skiing; it's not comparable. Actually I don't like skiing but you get the point.
A Prayer for Owen Meany is one epic exploration of Faith in a post Second World War universe; but that definition wouldn't do it justice. There's so much more. America is analysed in very witty ways from the early 40's, through the 60's and the Vietnam War, up to the late 80's, when the novel was written. Irving has written some of the most attaching characters I've ever had the pleasure to meet; Owen Meany is the kind of character you cannot forget. This novel is truly fantastic on every level. In spite of its important size (620 pages), you won't get bored an instant. I think this is the only novel I felt worried I wouldn't get enough of it by the time I reached page 100, and believe me, this rarely happens to me.
From a literary point of view, the book is also a serious classic. To say it plainly, everything is damn great. I can't say enough about it! If you're interested in synchronicity, God, Faith, religion(s); this book will definitely appeal to you. But even if you aren't, you will appreciate it; it's a true pleasure to read. It's at once funny and deeply moving. I did cry at times, I admit; spending so many hours with people - albeit imaginary ones - is still emotional. This is an important novel.
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Mathew Curtis (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
A Prayer for Owen Meany is a masterpiece! Arguably the best popular novel of our time. It's themes of faith, doubt, and redemption loom large, but the real stength of the novel are the characters. I read this book every year and I often wonder when I see things in the world "What would Owen Meany say about that." He is without a doubt the most memorable fictional character in the last twenty five years.
The book does start out slow but stick with it it's worth the effort. It is indeed A MUST READ! It's on my top 5 all time favorite books list. Pick up today!
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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
This story of Owen Meany is a special one. I have never been into books that contain a ton of flashbacks and Irving resorts to this technique to tell the story. I was pleasently surprised when I read this book. The events that took place grip you and the way chapter end make you want to read more. Everything in the book all compiles together in the end to make (some) sense. The great thing about this book is you can read it again and again and gain a deeper understanding to what Irving is writing. It is a book for people who have the time to read becasue of its length and do not have a problem with religion. In conclusion, I am very pleased with the book and reccommend it to anyone looking for a change in pace. |
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Jason (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
Believe it or not, we read John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany in my English 12 Honors class this past semester. I am currently a High School Senior and, having read many books over my years in school, I can say that Irving's novel is definitely worthy of being a classic.
When we were first handed the book to read, the sheer size of it over- whelmed me. I didn't even want to start the book because I was afraid I would never finish it. It's about 615 pages, but it's 615 pages of easy, fun, sometimes comical reading. You find that, as you get into the story, it seems very short, and you don't want the book to end!
John Irving writes this novel in the form of diary entires written by John Wheelwright, a friend of Owen Meany's. Owen is a boy who may have been born prematurely, since he is smaller in size and stature than other kids his age. Irving intelligently writes Owen's dialogues in all-caps, partly because of his special voice, and partly because when he speaks, he means something.
Johnny Wheelwright is writing the diary in 1987 and is recalling his child- hood with Owen in the 1950s and 1960s. Johnny and Owen have been life-long best friends, and John's entries recall some of his strongest memories of their friendship.
When Owen hits Johnny's mother in her temple with a baseball in the summer of 1953, when the boys are both 11 years old, their friendship is changed forever, and is sealed with that special bond. I know, you would think that he would dislike Owen somewhat for killing his mother, but the completely opposite happens and, fortunately, the two become even better friends than they were before.
Owen sincerely believes he is "God’s Instrument" and he is a strong believer in fate and predestination. Throughout the novel, we hear Owen's strong opinions on faith, politics, and life in general. We also watch John and Owen's friendship progress until that "FATED" day that arrives at the end of the novel.
I will recommend this book to any reader- you will almost certainly enjoy it. It isn't exactly a religious book - it's a book about friendship, faith, and life. |
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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
When I finished this book, I wanted to read more. It is my favorite book of all time! The sybolism it has for Owen As the second coming of Christ, it just blew me away!!! It is such a wonderful book andI recommend it to anyone. Anyone that reads this book needs to realize that is fiction! Don't think that it is a true story or anything, becasue it's not. It is beautifully written and John IRving is amazing! HE is now my favorite author and this is my favortie book. The end is what makes it a beautiful book. The importance of everything in this book, the shot, the finger, everything just runs all together and Irving did a wonderful job. If you are religious and you have your traditional doctornal ways, you won't like this book, it's not for you. It's for teens and up, anyone younger it would scare to death. I am scared to death and I found myself not being able to be in a dark room by myself in the quiet, becasue the book is thrilling! I absolutely loved this book and everything about it! Thank you Irving! My spiritual life will never be the same. If only we all could live like Owen Meany, with the strongest faith and the ability to not be scared of death, but anticipate it's coming! |
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Carter (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
This and Garp are the highlights of Irving's novels, and I actually think Owne Meany is a step above Garp.
I love Irving because his stories seem secondary to his characterization. Owne Meaney is a simple story, a couple kids growing up, one kills the others' mom in a freak accident. The reason this book is so wonderful is because Owen and John are such remarkable characters. The real value of Irving's books is not seen until the novel ends and one finds that the characters are missed.
Owen Meaney is my favorite Irving novel and definately in my top 5 of all the books I've read. It is a book I take with me when I'm in a foreign country and I can't communicate with anyone. it is a book I read when I am down and I need comfort. It is everything that should be in a book. |
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1 2 | Total 2 pages 13 items |
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