Unspeakably moving.

Would you listen to A Prayer for Owen Meany again? Why?

again and again . I am a retired opera director and I have not been so moved by a story in years. This is a truly great novel and must be listened to slowly, savouring each chapter.The reader is flawless. It takes a great actor to give the right dimension to a great character.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Every character is wonderfully drawn . I love them all. Such humanity, such vision. This is now my favourite novel of all times!

Have you listened to any of Joe Barrett’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No but I sure will from now on. I have already looked him up

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The novel is too great to be reduced to an hour and a half movie

Any additional comments?

Thank you Audible for commissioning the recording of this book. That you Joe Barratt for your imagination and acting skills and above all thank you John Irving for this great , great novel.

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3 people found this helpful

An outstanding Book, don't give up on it!

What did you like most about A Prayer for Owen Meany?

I loved every twist and turn. I can't rate this book high enough.
Just keep on with it as it just gets better.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Prayer for Owen Meany?

The final tragic scene.......

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

My favourite character was Owen, such a powerful figure in the book, not to be underestimated.

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

This book is a compelling. Just too long for a one hit listen.

Any additional comments?

This book was chosen for my book group. I will score it 10 out of 10.
It made me cry!

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2 people found this helpful

Perfect for Audible

I loved this book and I loved Owen Meany. It didn't start this way because I initially found the voice so annoying. However, I soon realized that it was perfect for Owen. My favorite audible book so far. It's long, but definitely worth the listen.

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1 person found this helpful

Very good listen. Great narration

Great book. Compelling storyline. I just felt that it was overly long in places, in it's telling. Would've given it 5 stars otherwise. Stick with it though, as it's worth ploughing through these 'spare-parts'. A bit like The Beatles 'White Album'. 😉
Wonderfully narrated.

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Just Brilliant

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

This is absolutely my favourite audiobook so far. I could not wait to return to it and was so sad when I realised I would no longer hear Owen Meany's voice.

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

Only Joe Barrett could make Owen Meany so mesmerising

Any additional comments?

A faultless book that makes you laugh out loud and cry your heart out. An impeccable production of a life changing book.

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Owen Meany!

What is there to say about this book other than that it is way up high in 20th century literature. I read it back then and now listening to it brought back the pleasure I encountered then. The narration was excellent too. Cheers!

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Brilliant

The perfect book to be executed in audio. The narrator is really excellent, especially when you consider the task before him of the consistent delivery of that voice! Really brilliant

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Heart-warming and spell-binding

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

I really enjoyed John Irving's narrative style, even though he signposts the various tragic events early on in the story you still feel compelled to hear the whole thing for yourself. Owen Meany is a fantastic character - funny, intelligent and earnest. He lives under the weighty knowledge of his fate but instead of being crushed by it he embraces it with incredible virtue and courage. I am not a religious or superstitious person but the references to God's plan and absolute faith did not prevent me from falling in love with this story.

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

Joe Barrett narrates this excellently and has to cope with the added strain of replicating Owen's extraordinary voice. He does a wonderful job of this and it certainly adds to whole experience. I understand that in the novel Owen's speech is always WRITTEN IN CAPITALS! This could perhaps detract from your enjoyment but listening to his voice via Joe Barrett brings this wonderful character to life.

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Lengthy and worth every minute

Oh wow! My first Irving listen/read and not to be my last. The insightful interview that concludes this audiobook has directed me not just to further of his work, but that of others too.
The length of this book meant it couldn’t be ravenously devoured, and thankfully so. The lives of the boys wander back and forwards, building layer upon layer of plot and understanding. The climax is often signposted but like the rest of the novel, is so much more.

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Fabulous

Loved this as an audio book. I laughed and cried. Beautifully read by Joe Barrett

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