Rating: 
Summary: Especially good if you liked the movie!
Review: There is always a question of how a book and a movie made from a book compare. In this case, I saw the movie and found that it enhanced the experience of reading the book, mainly because the characterizations in the movies were so very good. I particularly liked Michael Caine's performance of Dr. Larch in the movie, and as I read the book, I could hear Caine's voice and mannerisms throughout. I think without having seen the movie, I would not have found the book to be as good. It is sometimes fairly slow, with a number of digressions. Having said that, the book does read well, has good characters (who are expanded on from the movie), and a very nice setting that is well described (Maine). If you liked the movie, read the book! Of course, if you have read the book, see the movie too!
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful and powerful story
Review: What an amazing book. Rarely does a reader finish a book and not know where to start in explaining the virtues of the story, but the wonderful complexity of all the characters' lives really made an impression on me. In saying that, I can't really give an accurate sense of the story in 1000 words to anyone reading my review, but I can say that Homer Wells and Dr. Larch's saga is a tale of an epic adventure in the life of an orphan and his acquaintances, the issue of abortion and adoption, and the unspoken (but well known) rules of life. Then, I saw the movie...and realized in the opening 2 minutes what I already knew. It is impossible to fit such a complex story into a 2 hour movie, let alone 40 years of Homer Wells's life. So, that was a little dissappointing. However, the novel was an unbelievably good read and I recommend it especially to us Mainers, as it gives wonderful descriptions of the Maine of 50 years ago.
Rating:
Summary: untitled
Review: Unbelievable book! Finished it in 4 days. Very addictive, like The Sims
Rating:
Summary: Better than Owen Meany
Review: I bought this book 7 years ago, and could never get into it. I then bought it on tape for a trip cross country and fell in love with it . Irving has a gift of story telling. The book was detailed without being overbearing, and incredibly interesting. I don't agree with abortinon but he really mad me think about the whole subject in a new light. All in all a great modern classic
Rating:
Summary: An insightful and thought-provoking work
Review: For all the hype that this book and its subsequent film adaptation have received, it can for once be said that the hype is fitting to the subject. Irving has written a powerful piece that not only entertains, but challenges the reader. The subject matter is one that will stir up controversy with many, and that is entirely the author's intent. In his presentation he is masterful: there are characters that the reader will relate to, no matter what his or her individual stance toward abortion and the issue of human choice; and there are characters that the reader will abhor. Their unique mixture in this piece is what gives it such life, and such depth. Funny, insightful, challenging. It is a book whose final 'conclusions' are not my own, but which I appreciate greatly for its willingness to examine the issues.
Rating:
Summary: I'm glad I gave the book another chance.
Review: Although I am not quite through with the book yet, I feel compelled to write a review of it now. I am about 3/4ths of the way through it and am finding that the more I read, the more I want to read. I can't put the book down. about three months ago, I bought the book and began to read it. I wasn't finished with the first chapter when I stopped reading it because I just didn't like the author's writing style. Then after all the hype at the Osacar's, I decided to give it another try. I am so glad I did. I find that the details and descriptive writing style I found drawn out and boring in the beginning, really helps the reader envision the characters and settings. Now I couldn't imagine the book being written any other way. I should complete the book any day now and can't wait to see how things pan out. What a great book and an even better author!
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Good.
Review: The Cider House rules takes place in Maine in the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. The books skips 15 years in a page... But, all of the what-the-heck-was-THAT? aside, it's actually a fairly good book. The characters were very good, and steady. Homer Wells, DR. Larch were great. The book is a bit long, and wavers a bit in the attention-keeping department, but it's still a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Good writing-extreme detail
Review: The book was well written; however, I felt like there was way to much detail concerning how abortions are done. A lot of this could have been left out and still gotten his point across. If your the least bit weak in the stomach, don't read this book.
Rating:
Summary: sigh
Review: It was...a disappointment. I truly was disheartened by the fact that all these reviews tell of how great it was, and I was lost in Irving's inability to keep a plot moving steadily. Just for instance, the book jumps through fifteen years in a page. Then it starts to slow down, taking pages and pages with a single day, or sometimes seasons in a sentence. I wouldn't mind it if it didn't jump around so much. There are dozens of characters, and when it really gets interesting it seems to right itself by being incredibly boring for an even larger number of pages. I went through two books reading this one, really trying to focus on what was going on. The characters seemed alright, Dr. Larch being the best among them, as far as the written word. Homer was second, and the rest could be the same character, they didn't make much impact. The nurses were practically the same woman, even the new, younger one seemed that way. The plot seemed to wrap itself up nicely, though a few holes seemed to drag it down, the way Irving will just hint at a resolution, and never give you any actual proof of it. If you have a LOT of time on your hands, this book is for you. I suppose I'm used to a faster pace, or rather, a pace that is steady and keeps you interested.
Rating:
Summary: Irving is a genius!
Review: After reading John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany" I had nothing but respect for his skill in writing fiction. As I plunged deeper into "Cider House" I was once again enthralled and unable to stop reading. The characters are never perfect, but they are wonderfully complex and well developed. Irving's style is also prevelant in this novel. His epic storytelling and imagination amaze me. I recommend this book very strongly. It's brilliant and I don't have the words to praise it as it deserves!
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