A Prayer for Owen Meany question

[TR]

I’ve read so much about how wonderful this book is. So I’ve got it from the library (btw I am so obsessed with the library now, lol). I’m 105 pages in and so far, I’m not hooked and it feels a little tedious. I’m just wondering if I should keep going or if I would know if I loved it by now.

Usually I know really quickly if I like a book or not, but sometimes no. For example, I started and stopped Life After Life a couple of times, but once I kept going I really loved it.

So tell me what to do, please.

[gummybear]

I have this book and have tried several times over the course of 25 years to read it. Now, I was an English Lit major in college so I have powered through dozens of books I didn't like but for some reason, I have never finished this one. It just never drew me in. I know I am in a tiny minority. I am OK with it!

[candreco]

I dunno, I'm like you. My sister effing loved that book, and I couldn't get through it.

Life is too short for books you don't enjoy/get something out of. Like, DOES IT SPARK JOY?

[TR]

Jan 14, 2019 13:10:24 GMT -5 gummybear said:

I have this book and have tried several times over the course of 25 years to read it. Now, I was an English Lit major in college so I have powered through dozens of books I didn't like but for some reason, I have never finished this one. It just never drew me in. I know I am in a tiny minority. I am OK with it!

Jan 14, 2019 13:10:39 GMT -5 candreco said:

I dunno, I'm like you. My sister effing loved that book, and I couldn't get through it.

Life is too short for books you don't enjoy/get something out of. Like, DOES IT SPARK JOY?

Exactly, especially to the last point. And I’ve set myself a goal to read 52 books this year and if slogging through this one is going to mess up my goal and I’m not going to enjoy it, I’d rather move on to something I crave reading.

[pantsparty]

I love this book so much, but I also love the way John Irving writes and explores characters. I don't mind the slow pacing. I can't remember if I loved it right away or if it took awhile. But IDK, no shame in putting something down if you're not enjoying it.

[devonpow]

I love this book so much. It still crushes my that DH doesn’t like the name Owen or that would totally be one of my kids’ names because of this book.

But yeah, John Irving is a very specific style that I see not everyone liking. But please God, regardless of if you finish the book or not NEVER EVER watch the atrocity of a movie.

[pantsparty]

I'm actually reading The Cider House Rules now and if anything, it's slower than A Prayer for Owen Meany. So scratch that one off your list, LOL.

[gummybear]

Jan 14, 2019 13:23:17 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

I'm actually reading The Cider House Rules now and if anything, it's slower than A Prayer for Owen Meany. So scratch that one off your list, LOL.

See, I loved this one 

[statgirl]

I loved A Prayer for Owen Meaney when I first read it. LOVED IT. I tried re-reading it last year and ehh...I couldn't get into it. I think it is a time/place/moment thing. A random internet stranger gives you permission to stop reading now if you so desire. I'm reading "Her Body, Our Laws" right now if you want a (short) recommendation and I just finished up the new Louise Penney. I may make my goal this year.

[pantsparty]

Jan 14, 2019 13:24:08 GMT -5 gummybear said:

Jan 14, 2019 13:23:17 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

I'm actually reading The Cider House Rules now and if anything, it's slower than A Prayer for Owen Meany. So scratch that one off your list, LOL.

See, I loved this one 

I love it too! I'm just saying if you don't love A Prayer for Owen Meany, maybe John Irving isn't your thing.

[mccallister84]

Jan 14, 2019 13:21:56 GMT -5 devonpow said:

I love this book so much. It still crushes my that DH doesn’t like the name Owen or that would totally be one of my kids’ names because of this book.

But yeah, John Irving is a very specific style that I see not everyone liking. But please God, regardless of if you finish the book or not NEVER EVER watch the atrocity of a movie.

My brother’s middle name is Owen because of this book.

OP add me to the chorus of people who also loved it and can’t remember if I found the beginning slow when I first read it. Honestly on re reads I find the end a bit dragging so maybe stop now?

[greenlight]

I hated it. Forced myself to see it through and ended up disappointed and a tad confused, lol.

[bex1973]

I love john Irving so much! But I think he's an acquired taste. Either you like his style or not. I'd move on to something else because it's slow moving as other's have said.

[TR]

Thanks all! I’ll take it back for now. Maybe I’ll give it a try another time. Or someone could just tell me what’s so special about Owen now, lol.

Also, it’s really hard for me to read when all of Owen’s dialogue is in all caps. I get it. His voice is weird. But it makes me anxious, lol.

[ally]

Jan 14, 2019 13:41:49 GMT -5 TR said:

Thanks all! I’ll take it back for now. Maybe I’ll give it a try another time. Or someone could just tell me what’s so special about Owen now, lol.

Good choice!  I kept going as people were loving it and recommending it.  Never really understood why.  If someone could explain, that would be great!

[oswin]

Jan 14, 2019 13:21:56 GMT -5 devonpow said:

I love this book so much. It still crushes my that DH doesn’t like the name Owen or that would totally be one of my kids’ names because of this book.

But yeah, John Irving is a very specific style that I see not everyone liking. But please God, regardless of if you finish the book or not NEVER EVER watch the atrocity of a movie.

I never read the book, but I liked the Simon Birch movie. My view may have been colored by the fact that I was friends with the lead actor in college (he's a really cool guy, never did any more acting that I know of).

[onomatopoeia]

Jan 14, 2019 13:26:10 GMT -5 statgirl said:

I loved A Prayer for Owen Meaney when I first read it. LOVED IT. I tried re-reading it last year and ehh...I couldn't get into it. I think it is a time/place/moment thing. A random internet stranger gives you permission to stop reading now if you so desire. I'm reading "Her Body, Our Laws" right now if you want a (short) recommendation and I just finished up the new Louise Penney. I may make my goal this year.

This is exactly me.  I even kept a copy of the book (hardcover!) through multiple moves because I loved it so much the first time I kept meaning to read it again.  When I finally got to it I couldn't slog past the first chapter.  John Irving is a great writer but you have to be in the mood for words. Lots and lots of words. 

I did enjoy the movie. 

[Susie]

John Irving runs really hot and cold for me.  The Cider House Rules is my favorite book, I'm actually re-reading it now.  I also really liked the World According to Garp, and A Prayer for Owen Meany (although I haven't read either in 15-20 years).  I liked Trying to Save Piggy Sneed.

OTOH, I've picked up and put down A Son of the Circus and Until I Find You so many times.  I thought the Fourth Hand was weird, although I did finish it.  A Widow for One Year was only ok, and not really worth the time invested.  Water Method Man, eh, ok.

For me, I know by 100 pgs in, which category it's going to be in.  

[lolalolalola]

Jan 14, 2019 13:29:53 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

Jan 14, 2019 13:24:08 GMT -5 gummybear said:

See, I loved this one 

I love it too! I'm just saying if you don't love A Prayer for Owen Meany, maybe John Irving isn't your thing.

LOL, These are two of my all-time-favorite books. I haven't read either in at least 5 years though.  I wonder if I'd still enjoy them.

[lolalolalola]

Jan 14, 2019 14:09:53 GMT -5 Susie said:

John Irving runs really hot and cold for me.  The Cider House Rules is my favorite book, I'm actually re-reading it now.  I also really liked the World According to Garp, and A Prayer for Owen Meany (although I haven't read either in 15-20 years).  I liked Trying to Save Piggy Sneed.

OTOH, I've picked up and put down A Son of the Circus and Until I Find You so many times.  I thought the Fourth Hand was weird, although I did finish it.  A Widow for One Year was only ok, and not really worth the time invested.  Water Method Man, eh, ok.

For me, I know by 100 pgs in, which category it's going to be in.  

It took me years to get through Until I Find You. It was ok, but not worth my many, many, attempts, to be honest.

[tacokick]

I hated it and couldn’t finish

[shopgirl07]

A Widow For One Year is one of my favorite books of all time. But there’s other John Irving books that I just can’t get through.

[jlt19]

I finished it b/c I can't not finish a book, but I never understood the hype. I feel this way about most "classics" though. so I just don't read them anymore, lol.

[pinotgrig]

This book gave me THE SHIVERS. Lol, sorry - couldn’t help it. 🤣

I really, really liked this one. And I really disliked Cider House Rules. So much interesting imagery and metaphors with Owen Meany set up to be a Christ-like figure. I always remember the afterword that Irving wrote saying that the first sentence of this book was the favorite first sentence of a book he ever wrote.

But Irving’s style is definitely unique and this is a long book. Don’t force yourself through it if you’re not feeling it. I’ve always regretted the wasted time when I do that.

[cleo29]

I love the library! i was there yesterday with the girls and had picked up the newest Elin hilderbrand novel, but had to put it down on the bench to take K to the restroom and when i came back some dude had picked up the book and was just reading away. lol maybe a new fan was born!

[MrsAxilla]

Jan 14, 2019 13:29:53 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

Jan 14, 2019 13:24:08 GMT -5 gummybear said:

See, I loved this one 

I love it too! I'm just saying if you don't love A Prayer for Owen Meany, maybe John Irving isn't your thing.

I love John Irving but there is such a thing as TOO much John Irving. I hated Owen Meany and wish I’d given it up.

[rooster222]

I always feel like I have to trudge through for awhile when I read John Irving. It usually pays off though. Owen Meany and Garp are my two favorites. The Hotel New Hampshire though...just bizarre.

I say take a break now but go back when you have some patience for it.

[pantsparty]

Jan 14, 2019 20:17:30 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Jan 14, 2019 13:29:53 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

I love it too! I'm just saying if you don't love A Prayer for Owen Meany, maybe John Irving isn't your thing.

I love John Irving but there is such a thing as TOO much John Irving. I hated Owen Meany and wish I’d given it up.

Well that's my favorite John Irving book. So apparently I have yet to meet my own personal extra John Irving.

I really hope he Googles himself and finds this thread one day.

[TrickyBob]

This is by far my favorite book. I read it and listen to it on audible several times a year.

I highly recommend audible for it. The reader is great and Owen's voice is on point.

[rupertpenny]

I don't abandon books often but I just really could not get into this one.