Rating: 
Summary: Almost no comparison....
Review: John Irving has done it again. Wow. What I loved about this book was the suspense. And the tension. The only book I've ever read that I thought had more suspense and tension than this one was "One of the Guys" by Robert Clark Young. To which Irving was compared on the dust jacket. But I would have to say this Irving novel is right up there!
Rating:
Summary: Bravo, Mr. Irving! A true masterpiece.
Review: This book kept me up until 5:00 in the morning and left me teary-eyed. I LOVED this book! I read 'Garp' more than 15 years ago and always considered it one of my favorite works of fiction. I have been in something of a literary coma of late and I have been reading mostly non-fiction (too many years in 'gradual' school). 'Cider House' has reawakened me, and has inspired me to read more works by Irving. I was deeply moved by the relationship between Dr. Larch and Homer in particular. None of the relationships in this book are easy to define. You won't find your typical father, son, or lover here. That's what makes this book so compelling. Similarly the issues raised are not so easily categorized as black or white, abortion being the most obvious one here. The point is not so much whether you are pro-this or anti-that, rather the danger (or futility) arises when you try to impose your beliefs, morals, or definitions on others. This book makes a compelling case against our all too human tendency to do so. This book is anything but boring. And it pays homage to our beloved New England. What could be wrong about that?
Rating:
Summary: I GIVE THIS BOOK 5+ STARS
Review: This novel is by far the best of all the John Irving novels. I can say this because I have read them all. This book was incredible. I don't agree with many of the decisions made in this book but I find them to be incredibly realistic and not crazy. Besides the maybe objectionable content found in this book, I give it 5+ stars and recommend to any fans of John Irving or anyone who saw the movie and liked it.
Rating:
Summary: The Cider House rules
Review: This book touched on many different personal issuse that people face today. Such as abortion, incest,and the power of love. The book takes place in a orphanage on the coast of Maine during the 1920 to world war one. The main charchters are Dr. larch and a boy named Homer Wells. The book tells the story of these two men and how they grow over time and how they learn the ture meaning of what it is to be a family. I found this to be one of the best books I have ever read, and the fact that John Irving was able to add humor to such serious topics was even better. Even though John Irving seems to go off the point at some times. He stills is able to get his themes across
Rating:
Summary: Excellent modern Dickensian novel
Review: In "The Cider House Rules", author John Irving weaves an engrossing and thought-provoking story of morality, choice, and responsibility. Using the story of orphan Homer Wells (a true "stranger in a strange land") to illustrate personal choice versus public responsibility (focused mostly on the issue of abortion), Irving introduces us to complex, three dimensional characters whose choices may not be the best, but are understandable and realistic. Well-balanced in the controversial areas, this is an uplifting novel that intertwines Dickens, "Jane Eyre", and medical terminology to illustrate the impact one individual -- or in this case, two: Homer Wells and Dr. Larch -- can have on countless people. I cried several times, because I came to care for these characters, even if I didn't always agree with them. The use of real historical events only adds to the imaginary world that Irving masterfully creates. I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: I'm sorry it had to end
Review: "~This is the first novel by John Irving I have read. I was greatly impressed. His vivid writing style and robust character development is very Dickensian. I was so entranced by the many facets of this novel that I found it hard to put it down even when it was over. I will probably read it again (which is something that I never do)."~ should probably see before you read the book. There is so much more to the book and much of the plot is different, although eventually arriving at the same idea and conclusion.
Rating: 
Summary: I agree...
Review: with Valerie Barbour. This book was very disappointing. It was slow, boring, and depressing.
Rating:
Summary: Irving at his best
Review: With The Cider House Rules, John Irving has once again confirmed that he is a master storyteller. In addition, the Cider House Rules movie is the first film adapted from a book (that I've read) that I enjoyed. His insight and tale-weaving acumen prove he's one of America's best -- along with his partners in (much deserved) Wolfe-bashing Mailer & Updike. p.s. As a follow-up read A Widow for One Year; it's also excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Antidote for Insomniacs
Review: Trying hard not to fall asleep while reading this dry, depressing and otherwise boring tale. I found John Irvings characters wimpy and stale, dark and dismal.
Rating:
Summary: Fiction at its best
Review: When I saw the length of the book, I really thought it was going to be a boring, slow moving book. However, after I started reading it, I became wrapped up in the characters and although I didn't agree with the viewpoint Dr. Larch on abortion I was pleased to see that Homer Wells shared my opinion and even though he ends up doing God's work and the devil's work, I could see myself doing the same. The end was a perhaps hurried and cliche' but not enough to make me reduce my rating. All in all, delightful and very entertaining.
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