A Guide For The New Reader

Here is some general background for the novel, and hopefully, a helpful tool for those about to tackle to book for the first time or those who are reading it and are having trouble.

     A Prayer For Owen Meany is a novel by American/Canadian author John Irving. Originally from New Hampshire, Irving now makes his home mainly in Canada. Some have suggested that the very general events in the novel parallel Irving's own path through life, i.e. the move to Canada, the narrator's name and birthdate. The town of Gravesend, New Hampshire, which is the main setting for the story, is said to be based on Irving's own hometown of Exeter in New Hampshire. Gravesend, New Hampshire is a fictional town.
     While reading the novel, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the story is not linear; there are flashbacks, flash forwards and reminiscing throughout the story. Also, the fact that all of Owen's dialogue is in capitals is important, and suggests something about the character and the overall story. Even with that in mind, it is my opinion that Johnny, not Owen is the main focus of the story. They both go hand in hand, but the story is being told from Johnny's persepective, not Owen's, therefore, there are some things that are said that must be viewed as biased.
     Many people want to know, what is the real point of the story? That is a question that I believe will have a different answer for everyone. For what it is worth, here is what the story means to me. It is a story about renewal, about finding some things about ourselves that makes us more whole people, people who are more in touch with the person that is us. It is a story about one man's experiences through life in which he is forced to realize some important things about himself, his life and the lives of those people around him. Through his life, he encounters happiness, heartache, pain, pride, disappointment and understanding. His life's experiences instill a sense of faith and awe in him and an undeniable, healthy fear of God and His world. This is what I feel the story means and is about. I hope that will allow people to formulate what they think the book is about.


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