A Prayer for Owen Meany

by John Irving | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0345361792 Global Overview for this book
Registered by potok-fan of Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on 8/4/2007
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3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by potok-fan from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Saturday, August 4, 2007
As is clear from its condition, this is a well-travelled book. Its traceable history begins in Santa Fe, NM, where my aunt picked it up (already second-hand, I think given away free) as reading material for a flight to Massachusetts. There she gave it to me.

She said she'd roared with laughter at the Christmas pageant scene, loved the character of Dan, and found the political commentary timely as she was infuriated and frightened by George W. Bush. I took it to read on the Acela train from Boston to DC and back.

I became pretty engrossed in the book, but was also very critical. I found it difficult to believe the adult narrator as being the person his childhood persona grew into. I felt the introduction about lifting Owen up over their heads in Sunday School class gave a misleading first impression of the relationship between Owen & John. And I'm quite baffled at how to respond to the end of Owen's story.

But on the other hand, I liked the convention of having Owen's voice represented in all caps. I loved some of the tenderer themes, such as the Anglicans who put up with the curmudgeonly adult John. And, as I've said, the novel really held my interest.

However, the memory of reading this book that I carry with me is not from the book itself, but of the woman opposite me on the train, who commented that she thought it was a wonderful book. When she headed to the snack car, she asked if she could bring me anything back and I asked for a cranberry juice. I gave her what I hoped was enough money, but then realized while she was gone that juice was probably quite expensive. She returned to admit that yes, it had cost a bit extra but she refused to take any more money. With a grin, she quoted what someone else had once said to her, "Please allow me to humiliate you with my wealth." Even funnier than John Irving, I thought.

Journal Entry 2 by potok-fan from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Tuesday, August 28, 2007
I'm taking this to the Turku bookcrossers' August meeting. If nobody wants it I'll take it home again and find another way/place to release it.

Journal Entry 3 by seethroughfaith from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Wednesday, August 29, 2007
loved potok fan's tale of travelling with this book


Picked this up from her at the first bookcrossing meet I've been to. I'm not sure if I'll enjoy this book - the cover is boring - and the font is small - but let's see ! I love it that it's a well travelled book and hope it'll continue to roam :)

Journal Entry 4 by Sirah from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Friday, September 28, 2007
Got the book yesterday at our monthly meet-up to be released in the Gambia January 2008.

Journal Entry 5 by seethroughfaith from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Friday, September 28, 2007
I couldn't get into this - I started to read it several times - gave up after about page 50 and so at the last minute I sent it over to the BX meet in Helsinki. Sorry that the entry is out of sequence

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