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Content snapshot
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Violence
Some
War violence, an accidental death, and the tragedy of the climax
Language
Some
Moderate language including some blasphemous outbursts
Sexual Content
Some
Coming-of-age sexual experiences; handled with Irving's characteristic frankness
Substance Use
Barely any
Some alcohol use by adult characters
Emotional Intensity
A lot
Predestination, the burden of religious certainty, grief, and sacrifice; deeply moving and emotionally heavy
What this book is about
John Wheelwright narrates the story of his best friend Owen Meany—a tiny, strange boy with a damaged voice who believes he is God's instrument, destined for a specific fate he has foreseen. Set against the backdrop of New Hampshire and the Vietnam War, Irving's sprawling novel is simultaneously a coming-of-age story, a theological argument for faith, and an examination of the cost of conviction. The friendship between John and Owen, and their shared destiny, makes for one of American literature's most affecting finales.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Death of several characters
Vietnam War violence
Moderately mature coming-of-age content
Reader Verification
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