Rating: 
Summary: A Masterpiece!
Review: I must say, this is one of the best books of our time! John Irving knows how to grasp a reader and keep them inside a story. I could NOT put this book down. I really can't say anymore because you just need to read the book to appreciate how wonderful this book really is. It is totally worth reading and I recommend it to anyone not easily offended by abortion, loss, or some [physical] content.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I doubt I will ever forget it. (If I find myself forgetting it, I'll probably just read it again!) John Irving does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into the lives of the characters, who he describes so well I can see them as if they were in front of me. Throughout the book, I was torn between wanting to know how the story would develop and not wanting the story to progress a single moment into the future, because I was enjoying whatever was happening in the present. At times I found myself surprised, while at other times the story was more predictable, only because of Irving's excellent use of foreshadowing. I found that every time I put the book down, I could not keep my mind off of the characters, the events of their lives, and the themes of the book. I was impressed by how well crafted the novel was, and I can't wait to read the rest of Irving's work. I would recommend this book for:
- anyone willing to take their time with a great book that slowly (and excellently) advances the story
- anyone who is open-minded about the issue of abortion or at least willing to read about the topic I would NOT recommend this book for:
- anyone who wants a quick, lite, or formulaic read
- anyone who will be offended or disgusted by abortion or the graphic details of obstetrical procedure
Rating:
Summary: Even better than the movie, if you can imagine!
Review: I never would have bought this book if I hadn't loved the movie, and am I ever glad that I did. This book, a tale of an orphanage and two men, the doctor who runs in and an orphan who grows up there, is absolutely incredible. The book is inspiring, honest, and very entertaining. I read it over a period of time, averaging a chapter or so every night, and did not find it difficult to remember what had been going on. Although the book is long, it is definately worth it. The story is creative and entertaining. You won't regret reading this awesome book!
Rating:
Summary: Irving at the Top of His Game
Review: I am a big fan of John Irving and I have read Garp and Owen Meany, among others, but this novel stands head and shoulders above the rest of his works. It is his most well-written and complete novels. The author addresses the difficult subject of abortion brilliantly. The reader is transported into early 20th century New England and kept riveted by a blend of comedy, drama, romance, and vintage Irving storytelling. You will experience a huge range of emotions while reading this book, and when you are finished, you will want to pick it up and read it again. The movie does not do this book justice at all. The characters are all richly developed, from the bullying Melony to the kind-hearted abortionist Dr. Larch to the eternal orphan Homer Wells. The ending is brilliantly conceived and the novel is beautifully written throughout. My only complaint is that for all of his creativity in his storytelling, it seems that he has taken two main themes and a handful of stock characters and tried to write a dozen novels about them. Still this is a five -star effort in my book. If you only read one novel by Irving, this should be the one.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, of course, but looooong, like all of Irving's stuff
Review: Most people love Garp and Owen Meany. Me, I like Cider House and Widow better.
Irving sure can write a good story, and he never leaves a loose end; everything in his books is there for a purpose, and there's virtually no such thing as an insignificant character or event.
Cider House is really a morality play beginning in an orphanage that fronts for an abortion clinic. Homer, one of the orphans, grows up there, leaved to follow a girl he's fallen in love with on 1st sight, and becomes beholden and attached to her, her boyfriend, and her family, a family that runs 'an apple business' and hires migrant workers during picking and cider time. The story follows Homer, who seems to be following nothing much (but he's sure not leading!), throughout his life until well into adulthood, and every bit of it counts.
And the movie's good, too, with Michael Caine as the infamous ether-addicted doctor in the orphanage.
Rating:
Summary: Another good read ... with a few significant flaws
Review: This is the third book I've read of Irving's after Garp and Owen Meany ... all are excellent books. As always, Irving created a memorable cast of characters and a plot that is both interesting and well-researched. Cider House is not only a great story, but a great commentary on the issue of abortion. The only thing that keeps me from giving Cider House 5 stars is my disappointment with Homer Wells as an adult. As a child, Homer seems fated to have some kind of terrible destiny (like Owen Meany) but when it comes down to it, Homer never truly made a decision on his own until the end of the book. His life as a youth is orchestrated by the opposing forces of Dr. Larch (my favorite person in the book) and Melony ... his love for Candy controls the next 15 ... and finally it is his decision to help Rose Rose that gets him back to St. Cloud's ... but even then it's under a fake name, and again even this is largely instigated by the guilt that Melony makes him feel. Homer never escapes his destiny as an orphan who seems largely deprived on any free will of his own. He's the "Right" Man ... the guy who agrees with everyone without being committal. Overall Cider House is a very good book ... but I couldn't help but think that a slightly stronger main character would've made the story more cohesive. Homer struggles with the question of whether he is the hero of his own life ... I would without hesitation say no: it is Dr. Larch. Still, a good book, but probably not Irving's best.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Presentation of an Ageless Conflict!
Review: An issue that society must still consider is presented in this book which deals with abortion and adoption in an earlier time period. An obstetrician, founder and director of the town orphanage is both an ether addict and an abortionist. It is the story of Homer, the doctor's favorite orphan, who is never adopted. A moving, sometimes humorous, and thought-provoking story.
Evelyn Horan - teacher/counselor/author
Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl - Books One - Three
Girl, Books One - Three
Rating:
Summary: Irving's best....
Review: I read Owen Meany and Garp but I liked this book a lot better. If you didn't like his other books try this one before you give up on Irving.
Rating:
Summary: Cider House
Review: The Cider House Rules is a well written Novel of our time. The Cider House Rules captures the reader with its graphic chapters. The Novel is very inspirational; it shows a boy trying to live his own life outside of the orphanage. I give this book 4 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Jonathan O'Toole book reviewer
Review: The Cider House Rules is a book all ages can relate to. Since the book has characters that are born and followed till aged, it can please readers of ages that are capable of comprehending the book. So many different types of people and incidences allow for the book to become something special, a real true story about life. John Irving glorifies a life most people would think is to tough to even think about. Though in real cases the life's of the characters are hard to understand Irving gives a good description of how life is in their situations. The books time period is so long that it makes it hard to not here the rest of the characters lives till they are dead. Yearning for more is what makes this book great, and is why it is recommended.
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