I am getting set to prepare the schedule for APFOM! There are 9 chapters in the book. My paperback copy has 617 pages.

The Discussion Schedule (Read the chapters previous to the discussion date)

August 8th through 14th - Discuss Chapters 1, 2 and 3 - 145 pages

August 15th through 21st - Discuss Chapters 4, 5 and 6 - 191 pages

August 22nd through 28th - Discuss Chapters 7 and 8 - 173 pages

August 29th through 31st or early Sept. - Discuss Chapter 9 and the novel overall

The reading is a little heavy as far as page count in the beginning. I can rearrange this if you'd like, but to fit within the month, (because some chapters are much longer than others) some weeks need to have more coverage. Chapters seem to be the most reasonable way to split up the book!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: read'n4fun,

This site has a great biography of John Irving, as well as an interview.

http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/irv0bio-1

I have this book sitting on one of my bookshelves. I will try to join in on the discussion although I will be on vacation for 10 days in August.

Welcome Chapterchaser!

Dee

I had this in from the library and ran out of time on it . . . I did read through a few pages - can't say I liked it much.

I will try again, though.

Hi Leeann. I read "A Prayer for Owen Meany," several years ago. It's one of my all time favorite books. I don't think I could remember enough of it to discuss it but I may try. I'm reading "East of Eden," now. If you had not encouraged me to continue reading "Grapes of Wrath," I would have missed out on such a great writer. Thanks again.

Mary

Hi Mary,
I picked up the book in the bookstore and thumbed thru it, I see alot of dialogue written in CAPS, can you explain why? The book sort of goes on and rambles, and that is not my cup of tea.
I'm still not sure if I will like this book! Not sure if I'll join in next month. Oh the dilemma!!!

hey merty,

i didn't notice that when i flipped through the book. All i noticed was the print was really tiny.

Dee

quote:

Originally posted by Book Addict:
Hi Leeann. I read "A Prayer for Owen Meany," several years ago. It's one of my all time favorite books. I don't think I could remember enough of it to discuss it but I may try. I'm reading "East of Eden," now. If you had not encouraged me to continue reading "Grapes of Wrath," I would have missed out on such a great writer. Thanks again.
Mary

I agree Mary. Owen Meany is one of my all time favorites too. We will be discussing East of Eden in September. I am looking forward to both of these discussions!

quote:

I see alot of dialogue written in CAPS, can you explain why?

I started reading Owen today and it seems that each time Owen is speaking it is in caps. There is talk in the very beginning about Owen having a very unusual voice, so I wonder if that is to help emphasize his speech?

Hi Everybody!

Pam, you got it. The caps are Owen Meany speaking. And his voice is very unusual, he's so tiny. I have a feeling that, when he speaks, he makes a point to stress his comments/questions because he wants to make sure that he is taken seriously.

My book also has teeny tiny print, because it's the mass market paperback. It reads fast though, I'm over 80 pages in.

I am going to see if the library has a different copy, with bigger print!

quote:

Originally posted by read'n4fun:
Hi Everybody!

Pam, you got it. The caps are Owen Meany speaking. And his voice is very unusual, he's so tiny. I have a feeling that, when he speaks, he makes a point to stress his comments/questions because he wants to make sure that he is taken seriously.

LeeAnn, do you think he is a little person (meaning a dwarf or a midget) with a voice like a Munchkin in Oz?

I am on chapter three of Owen. The print is small and the chapters longer than a lot of books. I am finding it better to try to read as much as possible at a time so the story flows.

I was at the Lake yesterday and enjoyed it more when I could stick with it. I am trying not to get caught up in a lot of the banter (how kids talk) so the story will flow--enjoy it more as a light read....the personalities are developing nicely.

quote:

I am on chapter three of Owen. The print is small and the chapters longer than a lot of books. I am finding it better to try to read as much as possible at a time so the story flows

I agree with this, Babs. This is not a book that you can stop at the end of the paragraph, I really need to finish the chapter in order to stay with the storyline.