A Prayer for Owen Meany

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did the novel’s use of flashbacks, foreshadowing, and prophecy affect your reading experience?

2. Discuss Irving’s use of capital letters for Owen’s dialogue. Did this stylistic choice help to convey the strangeness of his voice? 

3. What did you learn from the book's historical context, including events such as the Vietnam War and the Iran-Contra Affair?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Consider Owen’s unwavering faith in fate. Do you feel a similar sense of destiny and purpose in your life? Why or why not?

2. Reflect on Owen and John’s deep, complex friendship. Have you ever had a relationship that shaped your beliefs and understanding of the world?

3. Trace the novel’s exploration of literal and metaphorical miracles. Have you ever witnessed something miraculous? How did this experience change your perspective?

4. Owen and John are profoundly changed by the events of the Vietnam War. Has a significant world event or geopolitical conflict ever reshaped your worldview or identity? 

5. John’s life is marked by his mother’s death and the unanswered questions about his father.