Larry Lish Character Analysis in A Prayer for Owen Meany

A classmate of Owen and John’s, Larry is the rich, spoiled son of Herb Lish, a movie producer, and Mitzy Lish, a socialite. Larry is said to be “a charming sociopath” and a womanizer who seduces girls into sleeping with him, then forces them to get abortions in Sweden if they become pregnant. He is a witty editor of the school newspaper, and he offends Owen by repeating a rumor heard from his mother that Marilyn Monroe is sleeping with President Kennedy, who is Owen’s idol. Larry gets Owen expelled from school by tattling on Owen for making him a fake ID to buy alcohol. Ironically, he eventually becomes a well-known journalist who writes with a self-righteous and moralizing tone.

Larry Lish Character Timeline in A Prayer for Owen Meany

The timeline below shows where the character Larry Lish appears in A Prayer for Owen Meany. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...the school newspaper, of which Owen was now the editor-in-chief, when a fellow senior named Larry Lish told them that JFK was sleeping with Marilyn Monroe. Larry was the son of... (full context)

Larry was undeniably witty, but students and teachers secretly hated him—never outright, though, because his parents... (full context)

Larry’s mother, Mitzy Lish, was an attractive older woman—sexier than Hester, even, whose “early-blooming eroticism” was... (full context)

As promised, Larry brings Mitzy to confirm the rumor about JFK and Marilyn Monroe. She seems to enjoy... (full context)

...WANTED TO SLEEP WITH ME…WHAT THE HELL…I SUPPOSE I’D TRY IT.” Then he walks away. Larry makes no effort to defend his mother, but Mitzy reports Owen to Randy White. Owen... (full context)

...against Owen, but he soon receives evidence of a different transgression—Owen’s old fake ID business. Larry is busted buying beer, and he rats Owen out for selling fake IDs to the... (full context)

...OR DRAFT THEM OR KILL THEM.” John sees a mink and thinks of Mitzy Lish. Larry Lish has become a well-known reporter who writes with a self-righteous, moralistic tone. (full context)

Mrs. Walker is there, and Arthur and Amanda Downing. Larry O’Day and his daughter Caroline, John’s former girlfriend, are there, with Maureen Early. Mr. Morrison... (full context)