#3708
Mentioned in 13 episodes

A Prayer for Owen Meany

Book • 1989
A Prayer for Owen Meany, written by John Irving, is a novel that follows the lives of two childhood friends, Owen Meany and John Wheelwright, growing up in the fictional town of Gravesend, New Hampshire, in the 1950s and 1960s.

Owen, despite his small stature and high-pitched voice, possesses extraordinary spiritual strength and wisdom.

After accidentally killing John's mother with a foul ball during a Little League game, Owen becomes convinced he is God's instrument and destined for a higher purpose.

The novel explores themes of faith, destiny, and the socio-political upheavals of America during the 1960s, including the Vietnam War. As the story unfolds, Owen's unwavering faith guides him through various challenges, ultimately leading to a heroic and tragic conclusion that deeply affects John and the community of Gravesend.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 13 episodes

Mentioned by
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Theo Von
as one of his favorite books.
135 snips
E503 Robert Greene
Mentioned by
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Richard Osman
as one of his mother's three favourite books, though she noted others may not like it.
54 snips
The Prince Andrew Newsmageddon
Mentioned by
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Angela Duckworth
as a book she disliked as a teenager.
36 snips
180. What Makes Some Objects Feel Special?
Mentioned by
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Ken Shigematsu
in a humorous aside about the possibility of supernatural conception.
36 snips
Joy (ft. Ken Shigematsu) | Advent 2025 E3
Mentioned by
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Eric Zimmer
as one of the books in his "secret shelf".
30 snips
Choosing Love Over Fear: Finding Joy, Confidence, and Self-Trust with Emma Gannon
Mentioned as one of John Irving's books to which
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Mike Rowe
asks
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Chuck
Klausmeier to find the last paragraph.
27 snips
449: Theo Von—A Troubled White
Mentioned by
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Nate
in the context of a scene where an army NCO stops an attempted mass shooting.
18 snips
Episode 366 - The Order: Part 1
Mentioned by
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Kirk Honda
as a novel that was assigned in graduate school.
15 snips
Leftover 17th Anniversary Questions #2
Mentioned by
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Ken Shigematsu
while discussing the possibility of supernatural conception, referencing a book with a similar theme.
14 snips
Joy (ft. Ken Shigematsu) | Advent E3
Mentioned by Jon Hamm as the first book that deeply affected him.
13 snips
Jon Hamm asks about impactful books

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