Rating: 
Summary: Whew! I finally got through it!
Review: I found this book literate but boring. I felt nothing for the characters. I thought the whole medical descriptions part unneccesary and gimmicky. I found it repetitious and predictable and and cliched. I felt it needed a good editing, so I will rent the movie when it comes out to see what the editors did with it. Oh well. I bought it on a little island in Greece where there weren't a lot of choices for English language novels. Next time I'll be sure to bring along enough reading material so I don't get stuck.
Rating: 
Summary: how can he write so well!
Review: This is in my top ten books of all times. What a sweet, sad, moving, terrific novel. I love everything i've read by John Irving so far. The man can write. The characters are beautiful, real, and well drawn. The depth of the novel, the subplots, the descriptions, make the book thick and at the same time rich and satisfying. The talent it takes to craft such a story! (but, as Irving himself says, "Talent is overrated").The movie is good, but i agree with other reviewers: it makes sense to see the movie first, read the book second. You can't possibly expect 600 pages of accuracy condensed in 2 hours. Both the book and the movie left me with the belief that any given question has more than one right answer. I am maybe a bit less judgemental because of Irving. And that's no small potatoes
Rating:
Summary: good prose!
Review: My first John Irving novel, though certainly not my last! My one comment (not a criticism) is that Mr. Irving doesn't mess around with being subtle. He's very up front when he's trying to say something. A touching story. I haven't seen the movie, but I can imagine it would make a good one.
Rating: 
Summary: Read the book AFTER seeing the movie
Review: Cider House Rules is a very rich work, spanning a couple of decades and including dozens of characters. Unavoidably, the movie compresses the time span and eliminates numerous characters. If you see the movie first, you can enjoy it without constantly being distressed at this or that compromise with the text -- and the movie is thoroughly enjoyable. When you then come to the book, you'll enjoy the extra insights into each character and be delighted to meet new, interesting folks who didn't make it on screen. It also lends some appreciation for the cleverness of the screenwriters, who managed to be amazingly faithful to the book considering the difficulties of the adaptation. So, if you intend to see the movie at all, watch it first and THEN read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!
Review: I am going to keep this one short and sweet. John Irving has never been a disappointment and therefore I am not suprised by the greatness of this novel. Simply a MUST READ! Irving is a master of his craft!
Rating:
Summary: Princes of Maine, Kings of New England
Review: As a component of my sophomore Humanities class, each student is required to designate a "free-reading" book to read at his or her own leisure. For this purpose I have selected to read John Irving's The Cider House Rules. This book is extraordinarily abundant with character development. John Irving cultivates each character's personality and physical description with such phenomenal detail that each character becomes exceptionally three-dimensional and genuine. Each character, no matter how small in relation to the rest of the story, has a unique personality that play small but important roles in Homer's quest to find himself and be "of use". I found Dr. Larch to be the most note-worthy character. Although several of his practices were not commonly socially accepted, his intentions never rested beyond the well being of others. His unremitting desire to only perform what he felt was right and good was thoroughly inspirational. Irving gives Larch such an astounding (slightly senile) wisdom that-like many other characters-he seems bona fide and we fail to remember that he is fictitious. Perhaps the most unforgettable facet of Wilbur Larch's persona is his overwhelming love for those "Princes of Maine, those Kings of New England."
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written and a soon to be classic
Review: John Irving has such style in the way he invents his characters and makes them come alive. After A Prayer to Owen Meany, The Hotel Hampshire and others, I was particularly moved by this book. So much that I went to see the movie, and was hugely disappointed by it. This book goes in such detail, that no good movie producer could ever recreate the atmosphere and creativity John Irving managed to brilliantly produce for the reader. Whether the reader is for or against abortion, Irving doesn't go into the politics of deciding for us; on the other hand, the book lets us decide for ourselves, reflecting in a neutral, colorful tone that makes other books in 'mass-market' today pale in comparison. It was a truly delightful read, and an eye opener.
Rating:
Summary: ON MAKING AND BREAKING RULES
Review: I picked up the tape (the narrator is excellent) after seeing the movie (I loved the movie). I wanted more discussion about the "rules"; more analysis about the issues of rules, rule breaking, rule following and the consequences. Abortion (which was quite illegal at the time, punishable by jail time, stiff fines and loss of the medical license)is only one of these issues treated in both the movie and the book, but the book does a much better job (to no surprise). Incest, infidelity, pre-marital sex, homosexuality, patricide, racisim - the "rules" relating to these subjects, as well as how the characters deal with facing and breaking these rules is what is the most powerful aspect of this novel to me. As to abortion, it was a different time and I wonder if Homer Wells would still be an abortionist in the post-Wade years? I felt horrible to read about women attempting their own abortions and dying in the process, but I felt un-sympathetic to the "I just give them what they want, an orphan or an abortion" attitude of Larch. That is too simple. Was Homer, Fuzzy, Mellinie or any of the others just "an orphan". While Homer was "converted" from a "pro-lifer" ala Mario Cuomo, to an abortionist, I doubt the book will change anyone's opinion on abortion. The book will make you think deeply about other "rules" and how the characters break them and live with the consequenses. The relationship between Homer, Candy and Wally was unique and a bit unbelievable and I would have liked to hear more about how Wally and Angle "reacted" when they were told the whole story. Or did they already know? Probably. It's also one of the few long books on tape (17 tapes) that holds your attention and would be a good book for adults as well as children 13 and older. Pick it up for those long summer car trips. Apparently, the characters and the situations are related to real people and real procedures.
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: I first saw the movie and was so moved by it that I went out and bought the book. I just finished it tonight and I must say that I have never been so touched by a book before. I am kind of sad that I'm done with the book because during the week that I read it I felt that I was a part of the story and I went through everything that Homer endured right along with him. I immediately bought the screen play and plan on buying the movie and soundtrack. I just can't get enough of the story. John Irving is amazing and I can't wait to read more of his work. I do recomend seeing the movie first so that you will be able to enjoy it more. If you read the book first, they you will be way to critical of the movie. Both the movie and book are highly worthy of your time --
Rating: 
Summary: I've read better Irving
Review: Don't get me wrong, I like John Irving's writing. I love Garp, A Prayer for Owen Meany was pretty good, I even liked A Son of the Circus. Cider House Rules was ok, but I found the characters (despite the quirks many other reviewers adored) stereotyped and predictable. The book was good for about two thirds then lost steam. For example, Melanie was well developed early on, but never quite paid off or lived up to my expectations (which is probably why her role was drastically reduced in the movie). I saw this book more as a political treatise on abortion more than anything. It was interesting, but hardly the literary milestone others deem it. Three well deserved stars (if you think this is a five star book, try One Hundred Years of Solitude and see if your rating system remains intact).
|
