Journal Entry 1 by pjlareau from Little Canada, Minnesota USA on Friday, May 12, 2006

Pre-numbered label used for registration. 

Journal Entry 2 by pjlareau at Another BXer in Jefferson, Georgia -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, June 08, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (6/8/2006 UTC) at Another BXer in Jefferson, Georgia -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

 

Journal Entry 3 by agschoolgrad from Jefferson, Georgia USA on Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Thanks for the RABCK!

I am going to make this a bookring since there are so many people that have this on their wish list 

Journal Entry 4 by agschoolgrad from Jefferson, Georgia USA on Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Owen Meany, the only cild of a New Hampshire granite quarrier, believes he is God's instrument; he is.

This is John Irving's most comic novel; yet Owen meany is Mr. Irving's most heartbreaking character. 

Journal Entry 5 by agschoolgrad from Jefferson, Georgia USA on Thursday, June 22, 2006

Now a bookring!

acountkel- US
guinaveve- US
kazeldya- US
perryfran- US
aliciayoung- US
wandererjen- US - asked to be skipped
boirina- Portugal - book is on way 07/01/07
agschoolgrad- US
aliciayoung- US

Please check back as the shipping order may change, if additional people join. 

Journal Entry 6 by acountkel from Charlotte, North Carolina USA on Thursday, July 06, 2006

I received this book yesterday. Can't wait to start it!! 

Journal Entry 7 by acountkel from Charlotte, North Carolina USA on Friday, July 14, 2006

A Prayer for Owen Meany-John Irving-Wow what a great book. I remember seeing Simon Birch which is a movie that was ever so slightly based on this book. The book is much better. Owen is a very small person with a squeaky child like voice that never matures. He thinks he was sent from God to perform a miracle. Some of this based on the fact he was told by his parents that his mom was supposedly a virgin when he was conceived. Owen is a very likable and distinct character but I also grew to like the narrator John. Religion, War, Politics play a vivid role in the narration of this story. I think Irving is a master in literature and I am happy I have been introduced to this talent. It is almost like Irving has written his autobiography thru the writings of his life. This one especially. The missing father, New Hampshire, boarding school, Canada are shared by him, his characters and the various works. This is a long book. Even as a paperback and it took some time for me to get engaged. But once I did, I was pulled in and enjoyed the ride. This is literary genius at it’s best.
Will be sending this to Guinaveve within the next couple days. 

Journal Entry 8 by guinaveve from Mason, Ohio USA on Thursday, July 20, 2006

Thank you agschoolgrad for starting this ring and thanks to acountkel for sending it on to me. I am going to to start reading right away. I will go ahead and PM kazeldya for her address so I have it when I am ready to send it on. 

Journal Entry 9 by guinaveve from Mason, Ohio USA on Thursday, July 27, 2006

Journal Entry 10 by guinaveve at Fellow BookCrosser in Postal release, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases on Friday, July 28, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (7/28/2006 UTC) at Fellow BookCrosser in Postal release, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

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Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 11 by kazeldya from Chapel Hill, North Carolina USA on Tuesday, August 29, 2006

received book in mail as part of a book ray. will read it ASAP. Irving is my favorite author, so I'm really looking forward to it. I loved "The World according to Garp" and "The Cider House Rules." 

Journal Entry 12 by kazeldya from Chapel Hill, North Carolina USA on Saturday, October 14, 2006

Great book, as are most Irving books. Currently in the mail as part of a bookray. 

Journal Entry 13 by perryfran from North Ogden, Utah USA on Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Received in the mail today along with another bookring book. These seem to always come in bunches! I also have another book in front of this. Will try to get to this in a few weeks. 

Journal Entry 14 by perryfran from North Ogden, Utah USA on Friday, December 01, 2006

I actually had a copy of this when it was first published back in the 80’s but I never got around to reading it. I’m not sure what happened to my original copy but I’m glad I was able to read it now as part of this bookring. Excellent novel!! The novel is very profound -- touching on religion, politics, friendship, and fate. It took me some time to get through the book (it was long and sometimes tedious) and sometimes Irving’s style bothered me – he likes to jump around a lot – from Owen’s and Johnny’s childhood to the late 80’s and back. The OWEN character is unforgettable with his extraordinary perception and VOICE. The novel takes you on a rollercoaster of emotion from humor to moments of sadness. The Vietnam War and the politics of Reagan are also key to the novel (I wonder what Irving thinks of the current situation in Iraq ?!). Overall, I would highly recommend this book – it’s well worth the time investment to read. I have read a few other Irving novels including “The Cider House Rules” (which was wonderful) and “The Hotel New Hampshire” (which I thought was so-so). I’ll be reading more Irving in the future.


Sorry I kept this book so long (I had a few books in front of it). I have aliciayoung’s address and will get the book in the mail to her this weekend.

Update 1/13/07: I happened to see the movie Simon Birch on TV last night. I knew this was based on "Owen Meany" so I made sure I watched it. While the movie was OK, it barely skimmed the surface of the wonderful novel. Major parts of the novel were left out and the ending was entirely changed. I know that it's hard for movies to catch the essence of great novels but I think this one missed the mark by a long shot! And why did they change Owen's name to Simon Birch?!?
 

Journal Entry 15 by perryfran at Bookring in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Friday, December 01, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (12/2/2006 UTC) at Bookring in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Continuing the bookring to aliciayoung in Georgia. Enjoy! Great book. 

Journal Entry 16 by aliciayoung from Statesboro, Georgia USA on Thursday, December 21, 2006

Received the book. Putting next in my TBR stack. Hopefully Iwill be able to finish it next week when I am off of work. 

Journal Entry 17 by aliciayoung from Statesboro, Georgia USA on Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Not quite finished...maybe agschoolgrad will all me to the bottom of the list so that I can finish it. Sorry it has taken me so long, but I have been sick recently. PM'ed wandererjen for address so that I can pass this book along. 

Journal Entry 18 by aliciayoung from Statesboro, Georgia USA on Wednesday, June 20, 2007

wandererjen asked to be skipped. PM'ed boirina for address.