Book #1 -- A Prayer for Owen Meany

Title: A Prayer for Owen Meany

Author: John Irving

Plot Summary: Owen Meany believes he is a small instrument of God.

Thoughts: Perhaps the strangest "religious" book that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It won't convert you, it will only make you question your faith -- or your lack thereof.

Owen Meany is the dwarfish son of a New Hampshire granite quarrier -- a young man who believes that his sole purpose on this world is to one day serve a higher purpose. The story deals with his relationship with his best friend Johnny Wheelright and there misadventures throughout their life both of their relationships with a providential force.

This book deals with "coincidence vs. providence" and how everything happens for a reason: how one small thing that happened when you were a child that could have been viewed as wholy insignificant could change your whole life.

It's touching, it's quirky, and at times a bit hard to follow. But if you can look beyond that, it's a wonderful read.

Rating (0-10): 8.5

Recomendations: One of my favorite books. Pick it up.