A Prayer for Owen Meany

By: John Irving

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 27 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

This production is part of our Audible Modern Vanguard line, a collection of important works from groundbreaking authors.

©1989 Garp Enterprises Ltd (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This moving book comes across like a concerto in this audio version, with a soloist—Owen's voice—rising from the background of an orchestral narration. This book, one of the finest of its time, gets the narration that it deserves." ( AudioFile)

“John Irving, who writes novels in the unglamorous but effective way Babe Ruth used to hit home runs, deserves a medal not only for writing this book but for the way he has written it. . . . A Prayer for Owen Meany is a rare creation in the somehow exhausted world of late twentieth-century fiction—it is an amazingly brave piece of work . . . so extraordinary, so original, and so enriching. . . . Readers will come to the end feeling sorry to leave [this] richly textured and carefully wrought world.” (Stephen King)

"Roomy, intelligent, exhilarating, and darkly comic...Dickensian in scope....Quite stunning and very ambitious." ( Los Angeles Times Book Review)

Thought provoking

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Owen Meany is an outstanding character because he is so unusual. i have known a few people like him. They were all strong and successful.

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

The book is not a particularly joyous or happy story, but worth the time I put in on it.

Amazing

In my opinion, books that make you feel happy, elated, joyful, somber, despondent, and inconsolable are the best ones that you will ever read.

Beautiful story of friendship and sacrifice

It took me a long time to finish this but I'm glad I kept with it. The performance was great and captured the nuances of many different characters.
This book touches on so many themes including coming of age, grief and loss, friendship, family, and religious faith (and doubt). We should all be so fortunate to have a friend like Owen.

An excellent book

This book held my attention throughout and I’m glad I stayed with it to the end. The performance was especially well done.

One of my favorite novels

There is such depth to this story, I read it many years ago. I recently decided to listen to it. The narrator showed wide range. He got Owen Meany’s voice so well as to be as annoying as described in the novel.

Wonderful reading of an incredible story

A prayer for Owen Meany is my favorite John Irving novel. I wish it could be required reading in high school. This reader does a great job with all of the voices!

My all time favorite book, and flawlessly narrated

The sort of book that makes all future reads just a little disappointing. The narration makes it just that much better.

What a Book!!

I’ve wanted to read this book for ages. I’m glad I saved it until I was older. It is wise and sensitive reprise of the 60s through the 80s through the eyes a man who was an observer of some pretty odd and funny doings.Owen Meany is-one of the great characters in American fiction. JK WAS A WONDERFUL NARRATOR. Whoever did the Owen voice was brilliantly annoying and then consoling that we are all living in accordance with plan, although few
Of us have the slightest idea of what the plan is. One of the great ones.

I couldn’t get to the next page fast enough.

I was quickly drawn to each character. This remained throughout the storyline as each person grew older. Captivating novel.

Absolutely amazing

Best Audible book I’ve listened to yet and I’ve listened to hundreds. I wish the story never ended.