John Irving, a masterful storyteller, understands the dynamic nature of a compelling narrative. As Owen Meany, the unforgettable character from A Prayer for Owen Meany, wisely observes, a great book constantly moves – from the broad to the specific, the individual to the universal, and back again. This insightful quote perfectly encapsulates both the brilliance of Irving’s novel and the approach we should take when analyzing it: connecting the personal with the overarching themes. A Prayer for Owen Meany is indeed a remarkable story, one that captivates despite certain stylistic choices that might occasionally test the reader’s patience, making the reading journey a fascinating blend of profound insights and minor irritations.
The novel’s brilliance lies in its exploration of universal human questions, particularly the search for purpose and direction in life. The very title, A Prayer for Owen Meany, coupled with its iconic opening lines, immediately signals a deep dive into themes of faith and spirituality in the modern world. We are introduced to two boys growing up together in a seemingly idyllic New Hampshire town, their lives unfolding from the 1950s through the turbulent 1980s, with the Vietnam War serving as a crucial backdrop. John Wheelwright, our narrator, hails from the town’s elite, the esteemed and wealthy Wheelwright family. He is depicted as handsome yet reserved, almost invisible in his quiet demeanor. In stark contrast, Owen Meany emerges from a working-class, fractured family, yet possesses an undeniable charisma and unwavering determination, amplified by his small stature and strikingly loud, distinctive voice.
John Wheelwright narrates the story from the vantage point of his older self, residing in self-imposed exile in Canada, reflecting back on his childhood and formative years. These memories are intrinsically linked to and dominated by the indelible presence of his friend, Owen Meany. John is intentionally portrayed as a passive figure, a witness to the unfolding events rather than the prime mover. His self-description during a Christmas pageant as Joseph, a largely passive figure in the nativity story, reinforces this role. From the outset, we learn of John’s lifelong quest to understand and embrace religion. His spiritual journey is eclectic, moving from Catholicism to Episcopalianism, Presbyterianism, and various other faiths popular during his youth, even briefly exploring hippie and anti-war spiritual movements. As a child, he adheres to family traditions, but as he matures, he grapples with questions and doubts. Adding another layer to his personal quest is his search for his father, a secret that his unmarried mother carried to her grave.
What made Mr. Merrill infinitely more attractive was that he was full of doubt; he expressed our doubt in the most eloquent and sympathetic way.
This quote about Pastor Merrill encapsulates a central theme. For the reviewer, the essence of the novel lies in this figure of a doubting pastor. Through John and Owen, Irving seems to propose a revitalization of Christianity, not through rigid adherence to dogma, but through the creation of new narratives that resonate with contemporary culture.
He taught the same old stories, with the same old cast of characters; he preached the same old virtues and values; and he theologized on the same old “miracles” – yet he appeared not to believe in any of it. His mind was closed to the possibility of a new story; there was no room in his heart for a new character of God’s holy choosing, or for a new “miracle”.
If John embodies passivity and observation, Owen Meany is decidedly the active force, the “miracle” needed to shake things up. Owen possesses an unwavering sense of purpose and an uncanny ability to influence those around him. He might even be seen as a somewhat overt plot device, with heavy foreshadowing and a sense of predetermined destiny woven into his character:
On the subject of predestination, Owen Meany would accuse Calvin of bad faith. There were no accidents; there was a reason for that baseball – just as there was a reason for Owen being small, and a reason for his voice.
And further emphasized:
I remember how he had appeared to all of us: like a descending angel – a tiny but fiery god, sent to adjudicate the errors of our ways.
… he was still and would always be The Voice. He demanded attention; and he got it.
The spiritual odyssey undertaken by these two friends is central to the novel, marked by peaks and valleys, moments of rapid progress and periods of slow introspection. Beyond this spiritual core, two additional elements are crucial to understanding the novel’s depth.
Firstly, A Prayer for Owen Meany is a deeply personal and richly detailed journey into the writer’s own past. It incorporates autobiographical elements reflecting a sheltered upbringing and a formative education at a private school in Exeter, New Hampshire. This personal reflection extends to the growing political consciousness and activism of the era. This movement from universal themes of truth-seeking to the specificities of life in a small town is a significant strength of the novel. While sometimes almost overwhelmed by mundane details, Irving’s talent truly shines in his vivid character portrayals and his distinctive ironic humor. This humor allows him to critique societal ills without resorting to overt anger or bitterness. However, the older John, as the narrator, occasionally adopts a more cynical tone (THIS COUNTRY IS MORALLY EXHAUSTED.), spending considerable time criticizing American politics and leadership. Irving’s satirical targets are varied, with a particular focus on school administrators (HOW CAN THEY PRESUME TO TEACH US ABOUT OURSELVES IF THEY DON’T REMEMBER BEING LIKE US?) and the proponents of war.
Secondly, the novel incorporates metafictional elements. The older John is not only a reader but also a teacher of literature, prompting reflections on how stories shape our understanding of the world. This metafictional layer connects back to the novel’s exploration of faith, highlighting the need to create new, relevant stories instead of blindly adhering to outdated narratives. John’s doctoral studies on “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” and the theme of predestination in Thomas Hardy’s work serve as a key example. Hardy also provides John’s favorite quote as a storyteller:
A story must be exceptional enough to justify its telling. We storytellers are all ancient mariners, and none of us is justified in stopping wedding guests, unless he has something more unusual to relate than the ordinary experiences of every average man and woman.
This quote leads us to consider some of the aspects that might prevent this novel from being universally lauded, despite its many engaging qualities and Irving’s beautiful prose.
One critique is the sheer volume of ordinary experiences detailed in the book. At times, the novel feels overextended, with key points reiterated excessively, as if underestimating the reader’s comprehension. The strong emphasis on predestination, while thematically relevant to a novel exploring religion and faith, might also be a point of contention for some readers. For those who, like the reviewer, are naturally skeptical and admire critical thinkers, the novel’s exploration of faith based on belief without empirical evidence can be challenging. (It’s a no-win argument – that business of what we’re born with and what our environment does to us. And it’s a boring argument, because it simplifies the mysteries that attend both our birth and our growth.)
Furthermore, John, as a character, can sometimes come across as passive and unengaging. His personal struggles, particularly his romantic pursuits and career aspirations, might not fully captivate all readers. His primary function often seems to be as a sounding board for the author’s theological explorations. Owen, conversely, is undeniably more compelling and entertaining. However, his portrayal is so exaggerated and theatrical that he occasionally feels less like a real person and more like a symbolic figure.
Conclusion:
John Irving reaffirms his position as a gifted storyteller, capable of crafting intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant narratives. Owen Meany stands out as a truly memorable character in contemporary literature. While A Prayer for Owen Meany might not become an immediate reread for everyone due to its length and pacing, its exploration of faith, fate, and the American experience leaves a lasting impression. The novel’s connection to Günter Grass’s The Tin Drum, which Irving acknowledges as an inspiration, further enriches its literary context, suggesting a lineage of novels that use unique characters to explore profound societal and existential questions.
