• Catherine
    Cambridge, United Kingdom
    4/9/13
    Overall
    "This is what audiobooks are for!"

    What a treat. It's long but I would have rather it hadn't ended... An immersive experience

    8 of 10 people found this review helpful
  • Burcin
    Hellerup, Denmark
    12/11/11
    Overall
    "difficult to go through"

    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.

    7 of 9 people found this review helpful
  • Sioux
    9/23/13
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Will stay with me forever"
    Would you consider the audio edition of A Prayer for Owen Meany to be better than the print version?

    I have not read the print version


    What was one of the most memorable moments of A Prayer for Owen Meany?

    The nativity play and the car in the school made me laugh out loud.
    The pathos throughout
    I was desperately ill in hospital for about 3 months. Every evening I was able to listen to this book and shut out what was going on around me. It kept me sane.


    Which character – as performed by Joe Barrett – was your favourite?

    They were all equally brilliant


    Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    Both


    Any additional comments?

    Read it certainly but Joe Barratt's voice lulled me and enticed me like I was listening to an old friend. A very moving book.

    6 of 8 people found this review helpful
  • Loraine P
    7/21/15
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Not long enough!"
    If you could sum up A Prayer for Owen Meany in three words, what would they be?

    Memorable, moving and entertaining


    What other book might you compare A Prayer for Owen Meany to, and why?

    I have yet to find a book that compares to this. It manages to be both gripping and matter of fact at the same time


    What does Joe Barrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

    The Voice! It perfectly evokes the image of a tiny man with a huge effect on all around him


    Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    This book took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions, from sadness and outrage to laugh out loud joy


    Any additional comments?

    This is one of the first audible books I listened to. Some 200 books later I have still not found a more entertaining novel. If I could, I would make it required listening for all Audible members

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Norah
    Herefordshire, England
    5/18/14
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    ""Don't be afraid""

    I can only bless the previous commentators........without their reviews I would never have chosen this book.
    The narration is awesome.

    If you are having trouble choosing a book, look no further.......it may possibly change the way you approach both life and death.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Victoria
    Witney, United Kingdom
    3/9/14
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "An outstanding Book, don't give up on it!"
    What did you like most about A Prayer for Owen Meany?

    I loved every twist and turn. I can't rate this book high enough.
    Just keep on with it as it just gets better.


    What was one of the most memorable moments of A Prayer for Owen Meany?

    The final tragic scene.......


    Which character – as performed by Joe Barrett – was your favourite?

    My favourite character was Owen, such a powerful figure in the book, not to be underestimated.


    Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

    This book is a compelling. Just too long for a one hit listen.


    Any additional comments?

    This book was chosen for my book group. I will score it 10 out of 10.
    It made me cry!

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Tony
    LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY, United Kingdom
    1/21/12
    Overall
    "I can still here the voice."

    I love this story, it is wholly unique and surprising and is about such a small and yet big idea that it knocks your socks off. Read this story.

    I just wish it were true.. I know its not, but it has embedded itself into my mind as if it is. In senility in years to come i'll tell people about little Owen, and his strange life.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Jobo
    spalding, uk
    8/21/10
    Overall
    "A Prayer for Owen Meany"

    This was absolutely superb. Myself and my wife had both read the story about ten years ago, but still throroughly enjoyed this audiobook. The reader was superb and his characterisation was a real addition to the book. If you've not heard or read the book yourself, I'd throughly recommend this. Friends have said it is their favourite story and I'm planning on making a gift of the audiobook to them, which shows the quality.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Elinor
    Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
    7/30/10
    Overall
    "A PRAISE FOR OWEN MEANY"

    This audio book was recommended to me and I was new to John Irving. The novel is compelling and carries you through the life of the narrator from his early years to middle age jumping from the past to the present.
    Joe Barrett reads this beautifully. It is crystal clear and the listener is carried through the story by his wonderful reading. Owen Meaney himself has to have a very distinct voice and Barrett creates a character with truth and credibility.
    A fantastic, absorbing novel enhanced by being so well read.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Tom
    West Wickham, United Kingdom
    5/31/10
    Overall
    "A fine book"

    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.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful