A Prayer for Owen Meany
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A Prayer for Owen Meany
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Narrated by:
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Joe Barrett
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By:
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John Irving
About this listen
Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)
Of all of John Irving's books, this is the one that lends itself best to audio. In print, Owen Meany's dialogue is set in capital letters; for this production, Irving himself selected Joe Barrett to deliver Meany's difficult voice as intended.
In the summer of 1953, two 11-year-old boys – best friends – are playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire. One of the boys hits a foul ball that kills the other boy's mother. The boy who hits the ball doesn't believe in accidents; Owen Meany believes he is God's instrument. What happens to Owen after that 1953 foul ball is extraordinary and terrifying.
As an added bonus, when you purchase our Audible Modern Vanguard production of John Irving's book, you'll also get an exclusive Jim Atlas interview that begins when the audiobook ends.
Why we think it’s a great listen: For 20 years, John Irving believed that his ambitious novel could never be adequately executed in audio – and then he met narrator Joe Barrett.... In the summer of 1953, two 11-year-old boys - best friends - are playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire. One of the boys hits a foul ball that kills the other boy's mother. The boy who hits the ball doesn't believe in accidents; Owen Meany believes he is God's instrument.
©1989 Garp Enterprises Ltd (P)2008 Audible, Inc.Critic Reviews
What listeners say about A Prayer for Owen Meany
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- June C.
- 14-08-2015
Brilliant!
This compelling and moving story of faith, friendship and American politics in the 1950s and 60s kept me intrigued from beginning to end. Each event that occurs is important as the story unfolds, and the clever way everything is ultimately linked makes for a very satisfying conclusion.
Joe Barrett's narration is nothing short of superb. All characters, both male and female, are so well represented, but especially the voice of Owen Meany which I had expected to find irritating, but instead found quite appealing.
It's a long book - 26 hours - but I couldn't stop listening to it. Usually I listen to audiobooks when out on my morning walk, but in the end I sat in a chair and listened for hours, and then was sorry when it ended.
There is a very interesting 25 minute interview with John Irving at the end which throws light on his writing process, and also gives further insight into the two main characters in ways I hadn't considered.
I thoroughly recommend A Prayer For Owen Meany and will definitely be trying other books by John Irving on the strength of this.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- lee
- 01-11-2023
Was and always will be the best book I’ve ever read
Owen was recommended to me years ago by my best mate who had an inkling I’d like it . I’ve just revisited him on audible and was as entranced as I was the first time. Such a special book, it will stay with me forever.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lauren O
- 14-04-2017
Near Perfect
This has been my favourite book since I first read it years ago. The audiobook has increased my love of this wonderful tragic novel. The narration was nearly perfect. That's only because I can't imagine anyone doing justice to Owen's voice. But this is as close as you can get. Warning - do not listen to the last chapter while driving. I knew the ending and still had to pull over.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lane
- 14-12-2018
It’s a moving story
It’s a moving story that affected me in so many levels a I want it to finish and not finish its was so sad and whilst the events where fictional it felt like my own early life it felt real and how we grow and perceive
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alan Millett
- 29-01-2024
I never knew
I had seen the movie of Ciderhouse Rules but I didn't know the author. Audible put Prayer on specia so I listened to a sample and was hooked. What stands out the most for me is the depth of characterisation. we know why they did what they did and being consistent we sometimes know how they will act next. And did I salute the plot? it's a story worth telling and huge insights into the mind of USA esp about the Vietnam war. it's a jigsaw but the pieces fit perfectly. Superb narration.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Maggiestampa
- 15-07-2017
A Thought Provoking Read .
I'll be ruminating on this book for a very long time. There are many levels to this story and many many aha moments. I can't wait to read more John Irving books. What a pity Audible hasn't more John Irving books.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 27-04-2019
This is one of my favourite books of all time!
I read this book about 10 years ago and it became one of my favourites! I chose it as my first audio book and I am so glad I did. Joe Barrett’s narrative had me hooked from the beginning and hearing Owen Meany’s voice was just perfect. Because I was able hear their voices it added an extra layer to the story for me and and I’m not ashamed to admit I was more emotionally invested in the characters. I knew how the story ended but it didn’t stop me from bawling like a baby and I wanted to hug both Owen and Johnny. Loved it!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Janine Jaede
- 24-07-2021
I would give it 10 stars if I could.
John Irving is such a wonderful story teller. This has always been one of my all time favourites. It was amazing to listen to it this time. So many laughs and tears in this story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- trudie
- 21-06-2018
Thought provoking, great introduction to Irving
This novel was chosen for my Book club, most members were not keen on it. Having the Audio Book was a great way to hear this story whilst driving. I think if others had listened to the book there would have been an increase in positive ratings as the size of the book was of putting for some.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jenn
- 12-06-2018
Fantastic book!
Loved every minute of it. The ending tied everything together perfectly and made quite a satisfying end.
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