๐Ÿ‘ถ๐Ÿ‘ถ๐Ÿ‘ถ A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving

After such rave reviews, I expected an incredible novel that I just couldn't put down. Unfortunately, all I've done is put it down since I began! I honestly can't remember ever taking this long to read a book, but I just never felt the allure to read it daily. It became a book that was like an old acquaintance, one whom I didn't particularly dislike, but felt no desire to get to know better.

The opening was exquisite... beautifully written, and really set the stage for the novel. Owen Meany was an incredibly well-developed character. I appreciated his eccentric ways, his condescending mannerisms, and his utmost faith. These are personality traits not usually associated with one another, but somehow manage to combine intricately to make one unforgettable character. John, the narrator, on the other hand, was bland, and sadly could have been so much more. The main plot twist was anticlimactic, and there was generally little substance in the middle of the book. Yet, I give this book 3 stars because Owen Meany really did grow on me as an individual and I cared enough about him to want to discover his fate. But alas, it was nothing as gratifying as I'd hoped for.

Honestly, (as you've likely gathered from my other reviews) I'm just not a fan of circuitous language. It is frustrating when authors don't just get to the point; this novel could've been cut in half with better editing. Much of the description of his life in Canada was so pointless and merely distracted from the true essence of the novel.


Read 12/7/13

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