#3737
Mentioned in 7 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 7 episodes

Mentioned by
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Theo Von
as one of his favorite books.
119 snips
E503 Robert Greene
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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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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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
Mentionné par
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Mathieu Stéphanie
comme un livre qui l'a marqué, un roman en anglais.
#321 - Georges-Olivier Reymond - Pasqal - Et si le leader mondial du Quantum Computing était Français ?
Read by
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Paul Wells
while backpacking through Europe in the summer of 1992.
The Summer Reading Episode
Mentioned by
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Jon Lovett
during a discussion about books.
"New Phone, Coup Dis?" (with Stacey Abrams!)
Mentioned by
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Toby Howell
as a book he read in high school.
Special Mailbag Episode with Neal and Toby
Mentioned by
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Gareth Reynolds
in the context of a character repeatedly performing an action without initially understanding its significance.
139: Scoop Your Heart Out
Mentioned by
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Chris Whitaker
as a highly recommended special book.
July 2025: Chris Whitaker’s All The Colors of the Dark

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