great book, lovely narration, a fantastic way to spend 26hrs.

though is just shame a about the music. particularly at the end, as it kicks in when you are lost in the story and it brings you round like a slap the face just when you want to be left with your thoughts. why is it there ? as you can tell it has left an unfortunate final impression on this version. this is as shame as otherwise I loved this book.

Yes - the central character is just so captivating as is the book's narrator.

Owen Meany - prophetic, small, squeaky voiced, and enthralling.

The narration is what makes this - just outstanding - the best I've heard in an audible book - his range of voices is consistently brilliant.

Yes - the ending was moving and the big story of the US' conscience and the Vietnam War is revealed superbly in the tale

Stick with it for the first few chapters until the characters grow on you. The humour is laugh out loud and irreverent and yet spiritual too without ever being pious. Irving says in the interview at the end that the challenge he set himself was to ask as an atheist, what it would take for him to come to believe in God.

There is an interesting story in this book but really really taking long time to get through. I rather preferred reading the book instead of listening then I could skip some pages more quickly. I am in the last 6 hours and feeling like I can't breathe anymore while trying to get it done. Narration is excellent, the accents are very well done, story is good but unnecessarily long.

This is a fine book, and in Owen Meany, the author has created a truly memorable character. It is not a fast paced listen, but somehow manages to retain your interest throughout. John Irving's prose can plod at times - I did muse what this story might have been like in the hands of, say, Vladimir Nabokov - and this plodding is not helped by what at times is a rather worthy narration, but to be fair to the narrator he does do Owen Meany himself brilliantly, and generally holds your interest.

All that said, I did enjoy the book a lot, and have downloaded another of John Irving's books as a result.

Absolutely amazing, have just finished it and want to start it all over again. , this is the first Irving novel that I have read and cannot wait to read another. He is a modern master story teller, a la Dickens. Intellegent and spell binding and beautifully narrated.

A Prayer for Owen Meany will stay imprinted in my heart and mind forever AMUST!

Great book. Compelling storyline. I just felt that it was overly long in places, in it's telling. Would've given it 5 stars otherwise. Stick with it though, as it's worth ploughing through these 'spare-parts'. A bit like The Beatles 'White Album'. 😉
Wonderfully narrated.

26 hours, and too short. I could have listened to the stories of John and Owen for so much longer. It's a beautiful tale, it's perfectly told, and I miss Johnny and Owen now that it's over.

Simply fantastic. Superb characterisation, I feel as if I know Owen Meany. If I could meet one literary character it would be him. Super writing, super reading. I have waited years to "read" this book and it surpassed my expectations. Brilliant stuff!

Yes, I would definitely recommend this to a friend who would have the patience to listen to this very long but unforgettable novel. The narration is first class and because it is so good, you can really invest in the characters. Owen's voice is amazing and unforgettable and the 40 year time span of the story brings alive the society, politics and history of this time.

Owen Meany, without a doubt as he makes you believe that there is good still around in the world. He also makes you confront your prejudices and revisit and ask yourself, what kind of person you are! Thank you Owen & John.

He brought the period totally to life and the voices were all different and memorable. His voice had a very warm and non judgmental tone which made you want to invest in the characters. His rendition of 'the voice' was particularly good and I will remember the phrases 'unspeakable outrage' and 'God's instrument', for as long as I live in the squeaky voice of Owen.

There were many but the totally moving climax at the end of the book moved me to tears and sadness that I would no longer be able to listen to the wonderful Owen & John again.

This is a very long listen, but totally worth the investment of your time. I tried to read this book, but gave up, so I am so glad that Joe Barratt brought it alive for me and thank you John Irving for having such insight and understanding of belief.