But how can this be? Certainly those around him that know him best, Johnny and his stepfather Dan refuse to believe it. And this is the blueprint for the rest of his life. Early on we learn that Owen believes himself to be an instrument of God and that he knows when and how he is going to die.
Not only spiritual faith, but a faith in yourself, faith in what you know to be true that keeps you strong even in the face of disbelief and the overwhelming indicators to the contrary. Predominantly, the question being raised in A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of faith. Stunted in stature but enormous in character, Owen is Johnny’s childhood friend who becomes more than this title usually means he is his best friend, his constant companion, co-conspirator, brother. He flicks back and forth between his present and through his childhood to early adulthood where he is an observer and commentator to what is truly the story of Owen Meany. Our narrator is Johnny his present time is the late 1980s living in Canada after seemingly turning his back on his native USA. This is story of a friendship between Johnny Wheelwright and Owen Meany. From the accident that links them to the mystery that follows them–and the martyrdom that parts them–the events of their lives form a tapestry of fate and faith in a novel that is Irving at his irresistible best. John Irving’s A Prayer for Owen Meany is the inspiring modern classic that introduced two of the author’s most unforgettable characters, boys bonded forever in childhood: the stunted Owen Meany, whose life is touched by God, and the orphaned Johnny Wheelwright, whose life is touched by Owen. I’m going to just gank the synopsis straight from Goodreads, as there is a lot going on here and I don’t think I could give a summary as succinct or spoiler-free: So, dear readers, prepare yourself for much gushing, lots of praise and an emotional, totally biased review.
But even beyond my Owen infatuation, the story itself has stayed with me and I keep thinking about it, thinking about Owen and thinking about Irving himself.
Not quite surpassing Miss Eliza Bennett but definitely on an equal footing with her. I find myself a little in love with Owen Meany and he has shot straight up into one of my favourite characters of all time.
I feel I must give some kind of disclaimer before I plow into this review I absolutely adored this book.
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