• A Prayer for Owen Meany

  • By: John Irving
  • Narrated by: Joe Barrett
  • Length: 27 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (10,653 ratings)

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A Prayer for Owen Meany  By  cover art

A Prayer for Owen Meany

By: John Irving
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
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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)

Editor's Pick

They said it couldn’t be done in audio. Wrong!
"I read A Prayer for Owen Meany when it published in 1989. For (almost) my entire career in audio, I couldn’t recommend a performance of the audiobook; other publishers thought the distinctive VOICE of Owen Meany to be impossible to render in our format. Joe Barrett proves them wrong. I highly (and at long last) recommend Joe Barrett’s narration of the humor and heartbreak in this epic coming-of-age story."
Christina H., Audible Editor

What listeners say about A Prayer for Owen Meany

Average customer ratings
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Loved this book and its narration

the narrator really brought this story to life the characters were wonderful. I enjoyed every chance I had to listen to this book.

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New Number One

You know from the start of the book....the very first sentence that the lead character is going to die. you spend the last couple of chapters knowing How it's going to happen but when that scene finally plays out it's no less painful for knowing. This book made me cry, this book was so well crafted it evoked real tears, a feat no novel has been able to do and I've read plenty. Give him back. That is my Prayer for Owen.

I only buy physical books if I feel they deserve space on my book shelf. some of its occupants include Lord of the Rings, Paradise Lost, The Chronicles of Narnia, just to name a few. I just purchased a physical copy of this book to take up residence on my shelf and I feel as if I've missed greatness by not reading some of Irving's other works. You can bet your ass I'm going to start checking them out now.

Irving, in his interview at the end states that Johnny, if ever portrayed on stage should be more obviously homosexual in his affection towards Owen but I honestly did not get that impression. If anything I see him as Asexual, having Loved and touched a fragment of the Divine in his friendship with Owen he doesnt need the carnal aspect of Love. And sense you can obviously see the relationship between Owen and Hester I'd love to see how Irving explains and expands on that. What purpose does she serve in the Novel. You know there is one, you see how deeply she cares for Owen, how willing she is to go against her nature for him. Is she suppose to be some Mary Magdalene to his Christ like narrative? Just something I've been pondering.

I dont write reviews anymore...I find them drab and repetitive but this book became soul food, or a phrase I've become attached to....Word porn. So I had to write something, if you read no other book in your life this is the one to read but then again that's just my opinion.

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This is a top 5 all time favorite

I cannot begin to tell you how amazing it was to share this journey with the characters! When I initially started reading it I thought it was a classic. It’s definitely a modern day classic! The narrator made me feel like I was watching A Christmas Story because he has the same kind of voice. It’s captivating, moving, laugh out loud funny, and bring you to tears sad. It’s the best of the best and I highly recommend it!

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I hate that it is over.

loved this book. much more indepth that I had thought in the beginning. And I can tell you how many times, I laughed until I had tears running down my face.

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amazing

outstanding, unexpected, masterfully written book. highly recommend. narration was fantastic as well - really well done.

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Skip the movie and go right for the audiobook

Have ya'll seen the movie A Prayer for Owen Meany? Not especially memorable because I only remember the baseball scene - which I must admit is a pretty memorable moment (and besides, I love Ashley Judd). But then if you open the book with its layers on layers of pathos, humor and flawed, crazy characters you'll ask 'What movie?'
Now I admit the difficulty of cramming 24+hrs of the spoken word into a 2+hr movie is a daunting task but it seemed to work for Cider House Rules - one of my favorite John Irving books AND favorite movies. But I digress.
This book is wonderful and the narrator is wonderful and this is my Audible 20 review sweepstakes entry.

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  • 01-25-19

Incredible story and production!!

I listen to many book and Prayer to Owen Meany is one of my favorites.

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Wow!! What a great story

I'll remember this story forever and highly recommend it. Great narration. I also enjoyed the interview with the author at the end.

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Super enjoyable!

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

Great , great, story!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Owen!

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

He brought Owen to life. I really can't imagine reading this and not listening to it.

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

Owen!

Any additional comments?

Great book! I will read more of John Irving's books because of this one.

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excellent narration!

I really enjoyed this book and loved the way the way it was told - was really engaging.

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