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)

A pleasant surprise

I was apprehensive before purchasing this book. Mainly because I thought it was heavy on religion, even though my beliefs didn't conflict with what I thought was in the book. Anyway, purchased the book and started listening to it. Not sure when it happened, but I was drawn to the peculiar incidents. I would wait for the chapter to finish even though it meant a longer drive. The climax was a blast. Highly recommend.

Transcendent

Although the telling is plodding at times, patience is rewarded with an amazing experience. The story is great, and the performance of the story by Ben Garrett is simply divine. This, my first Irving book, is certainly one of my new favorites.

So lovely!

I psi very much enjoyed this book. I couldn't pot it down. What a fabulous story! Thank you

A captivating story with a solid vocal performance

Joe Barrett gives an excellent vocal performance. The story feels part memoir, part mystery and part comedy with a historical tapestry of the late 50s-60s & 80s. I highly recommend it.

A Prayer For Owen Meany

I enjoyed this book, even though it was different from anything I had previously listened to or read.

Mesmerizing

A Prayer for Owen Meany is both heartbreaking and heart warming. The story is a though provoking and beautifully written allegorical tale of family, friendship, faith and history. Having been a Vietnam era teen I related to the intense emotions of the lead and the difficult choices facing him and his peers. The impact of Owen and his message of hope remains with me. The narrator brings the book to life and keeps the reader engaged. I will likely listen to it again soon!

Awesome story! Stays with you.

If you could sum up A Prayer for Owen Meany in three words, what would they be?

Lasting-Imaginitive-Consuming. A heck of a well spun story- coming of age for two boys who grew up together and stayed best friends thier entire lives, finding thier place in this world, and the love they have for each other, yet not in a homosexual way. It leaves you with the question, was Owen a false profit, misguided, yet beleived he was. Owen on the other hand grows up like so many others, just getting buy, and finds his placement in the world. So much to this book. I am awestruck.

If you could take any character from A Prayer for Owen Meany out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Hester. I think she would have been fun.

Any additional comments?

THe1/3 was just building the charactors, but as you got to know them, and thier personalities, you want to read more. Then you get hooked, and thirst for more.
It really is a great & wonderful book, how it ties together. Impressive how well done John Irving did on this book. I never tought I would like it, it wasn't in my genre, but I am impressed, and came away happy I took the time to read it. I would reccomend it to anyone, and it was well worth the money. It is a must read, and rightfully belongs in the "not to be missed", or "won't be sorry for buying this selection" files!!!

Amazing and riveting.

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

I have. It is all consuming and very moving without being morose or tiresome.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

So very many.

Any additional comments?

I have read many of the author's book, and this is right up there with Garp and Cider House Rules.

Loved it.

It took me awhile to warm up to this story and I had to be patient. Then I was anxious to keep following the story. When it was all done I was glad to have read the book. I will never forget Owen Meany or his courage.

Excellent read!

Would you listen to A Prayer for Owen Meany again? Why?

Maybe if I had time.

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

The "voice box" of Owen Meany.

Any additional comments?

One of the best books I have ever been exposed to. Will read more John Irving!