A Prayer for Owen Meany is the seventh novel by American writer John Irving. John Irving uses a unique style when writing "A Prayer for Owen Meany". John Wheelwright and Owen Meany both live in the fictional town of Gravesend, New Hampshire. There, Owen Meany earns a reputation as an intelligent, sarcastic student. "A Prayer for Owen Meany" has been both widely praised and criticized. The name "Simon Birch" was suggested by him to replace that of Owen Meany. Buzz Buzzard often appeared, as did Mrs. Meany and several other older characters. "A Prayer for Owen Meany" was published by William Morrow and Company in March 1989. Ellen J. Meany serves as Publisher. Randolph said that he was sure that Meany was morally opposed to racism. Then General Jackrabbit makes them grow bigger with his "Meany Machiney". The formal vote taken after his withdrawal was unanimous for Meany. Meany, the son of a union plumber, became a plumber himself at a young age.