SACRILEGE

Just finished A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving.

How I’ve loved listening to my man read this out loud. How I have grown to love the strange voice that became Owen’s voice, always in ALL CAPS.

As he finished the last few pages yesterday, I felt the melancholy of saying goodbye to a good friend. Never having read a single Irving book as a young woman, the pleasure of discovering a treasure trove of good reading has got me anticipating what I will delve into next. I’m told his later works lack some of the magical qualities woven into his early work.

I read somewhere that the opening line of this book is Irving’s favorite.
“I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice – not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mothers death, but because he was the reason I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany.”
I confess myself thoroughly delighted. 

Comments

  1. Marie SmithDecember 30, 2019 at 4:58 AM

    I saw an interview with Irving after he became a Canadian citizen recently. He married a Canadian and it was a natural progression for him.

    His latest book will be finished next spring he hopes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LindaDecember 30, 2019 at 5:52 AM

      I wonder if more Americans are making that move. If I didn't have 4 kids, I would consider it if Trump wins in 2020. I can't stand another 4 years of this $#/t

      Delete
  2. JenniferDecember 30, 2019 at 5:44 AM

    A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of my favorite books of all time. Sadly, I've never enjoyed anything else by Irving even half as much, but if course, your mileage may vary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LindaDecember 30, 2019 at 5:51 AM

      Thanks for letting me know. I'll keep my hopes to a minimum.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousDecember 30, 2019 at 6:56 AM

    It's been so many years since I read A Prayer For Owen Meany. Wow, I had completely forgotten it. Thank you for the reminder.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Debra She Who SeeksDecember 30, 2019 at 7:07 AM

    That was the last Irving book I read, too. I read several of his early books but he's dropped off my radar the last few years.

    ReplyDelete
  5. My life so farDecember 31, 2019 at 4:46 AM

    That is my favorite book; I've read it too many times to count.

    ReplyDelete
  6. JeanieJanuary 1, 2020 at 5:53 AM

    It hasn't been on my list. It is now. I love that you two read aloud together. I sometiems read to Rick on long road trips but to read aloud just because, very cool! Happy New Year, Linda! Thank you for all your visits, your comments, your joy -- both for coming to my blog and what I receive when I come to yours.

    ReplyDelete

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