I just finished John Irving’s A Prayer For Owen Meany.

The story is about Johny Wheelwright and his best friend Owen Meany growing up together in a small New England town during the 50s and 60s.

Owen Meany is a small boy…kind of dwarf-like in size, and he believes that he’s God’s instrument.

The book was adapted to film called Simon Birch, but it was very loosely based on the novel.  The movie omitted most of the last half of the book and changed the ending.  They named the movie Simon Birch instead of the same title as the novel at Irving’s request.

A Prayer… definitely gets added to my top 20 favorite books.  If you like Irving’s other novels, you’ll appreciate this one.  There are a lot of intricate details that all get put together in the end.  Very rewarding.

Additionally, the characters–especially Owen–will be stuck with you in the same way you remember Holden Caufield, Captain John Yossarian, and Atticus Finch.