A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
I guess everyone read A Prayer for Owen Meany a million years ago, or at least saw the movie, but this was my first time through. I was really enjoying the earlier parts when they were boys but as they grew older I grew less interested. I’m not really one for either politics or religion and as the book progressed those themes came to the forefront. I especially didn’t enjoy the current day inserts. The current day Johnny was an unappealing man who lived a dull life. It was sad to think the boy in the story had grown up to be him.
I was disappointed in the ending, not surprised by it. There seemed to be such build-up about what “they” had done to Owen and in the end what happened to Owen was a random event. The world is full of lunatics and he ran into one. There was no plotting. He wasn’t a target. I don’t think you can blame any war for the existence of a psycho, drugged out wannabe soldier. I’m pretty sure they’re always with us. And he sacrificed himself for what? A handful of displaced, orphan children. I’m not saying that’s not a worthy sacrifice but, um, is it? To plan your whole life for? It’s not like he saved hundreds of people or changed the course of history. If he was really so swell, such a writer and orator, perhaps he could have better served mankind by staying alive.
Anyway, I wish it had stayed the story of two boys growing up. I liked that part.