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 beautiful story of friendship

I highly recommend listening to this one. Joe Barrett as narrator was phenomenal, particularly with Owen’s voice.

At times the novel felt too drawn out and I’d find myself tuning out from time to time. I suspect this is one of those books I’d have to reread in order to fully appreciate.

In the end, I decided on a 4 star rating because this was a beautiful and moving story.

Simply perfect

If there could be anything better than reading this wonderful book, than surely it's listening to Joe Garrett's pitch perfect narration.

One of my favorite stories. Narrated perfectly.

Love the writing style, characters, and how I always get something different out of it every time I read or hear it.

A classic for everyone.

A Prayer for Owen Meany is a tour de force! Funny, sad, and thought provoking. May we all be so lucky as to have a friend like Owen.

I Laughed, I Cried, I Adored it!

This is my fourth John Irving read and I am going for more! His wit and intellect are riveting. Storytelling at its best!

It is very long!

It’s a very well written book! I would have rated the story better if it wasn’t so long.

Great - Must listen

There are stories that entertain or inform us and there are stories that change us. I can assure you, this book will both challenge your thinking and change you. Beautifully performed by Joe Barrett, this is an excellent and entertaining choice. I highly recommend it and fully expect that I'll listen to it (all 27 beautifully written hours) again.

One of the best stories of all time

What about Joe Barrett’s performance did you like?

He sounds like the narrator of "A Christmas Story" which I love and the voice of Owen Meany is perfect. Initially it was a surprise but eventually became a most endearing VOICE.

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

No. Because of the foreshadowing and clear ending, I wanted to savor the story. Why, oh why, do good novels have to end?

Any additional comments?

This novel has always been one of my favorites but, as with any excellent fiction, good narration enlivens an already phenomenal story. Nicholas Boulton's The Magus is still my favorite but Joe Barrett's A Prayer for Owen Meany is second of a long list.

Might be my all time favorite book!

What made the experience of listening to A Prayer for Owen Meany the most enjoyable?

This book has so many layers of stories; I love how it reflects ordinary life in the 50s and 60s. It takes me back to my childhood, where there was no A/C, our first TV and witnessing the 60s and the Vietnam war from our living rooms.

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

I could not pick a favorite ... Joe Barrett performed each character perfectly!

Who was the most memorable character of A Prayer for Owen Meany and why?

I know it would be obvious to say Owen was the most memorable character, but I would have to say Johnny, because most of us are "Josephs" and not "Owen's" in this world.

John Irving's best work ever!

Where does A Prayer for Owen Meany rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is 1.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Owen Meany. He climbed right into my heart, and resides there still.

Any additional comments?

I love everything that John Irving writes, but I love tis story most of all.