The Cider House Rules

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: I read this book right after OWEN MEANY. What a wonderful read. I could not put this down like OWEN MEANY. I will most definitely will read this again. Both main characters will be remembered. READ THIS BOOK!!! The movie version is to come out this fall I believe. It is to star Toby Maguire and Charlie Therez, directed by Lasse Hallstrom. AND...the screenplay is from the author himself. I can't wait to see it.

Rating:
Summary: Irvings best one to date
Review: I never thought that I would enjoy reading a book which centers around abortion but I more than enjoyed it. This disturbing but poinent novel made me think. And that's all you can ask.

Rating:
Summary: Don't bother reading this book
Review: This was one of the worst books I ever read. I really enjoyed Owen Meaney and thought I'd give Irving another shot - what a mistake. The mind-numbing repetition of the same theme over and over for 600 + pages and the obvious plot development were pure torture. None of the characters were sympathetic - it was hard to care about any of them.

Rating:
Summary: A true example of great story writing
Review: Irving does a great job in weaving a wonderful, touching story about a subject that is generally avoided in fiction: Abortion. If you are sick of reading Sydney Sheldon pick up any of Irving's books to see how a modern classic should read.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've ever read
Review: After "Prayer for Owen Meany" I thought that no book could move me the way this one did. But then I read Cider House Rules and saw that it was possible. John Irwin is the best.

Rating:
Summary: Captivating, Sincere, Heartwarming
Review: This is the first John Irving novel that I have ever read. I thought it was fantastic. The subject matter, characters, and setting were able to grab my attention immediately. I fell in love with all of the characters, especially Melony and Dr. Larch. There are several surprises along the way, and a fulfilling end to the story. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: FREAKY!!!
Review: I've read this book two times within three weeks! I really liked this one. At school I was freaking about this book all day long. Everybody hated me for that. But it was worth it!! I didn't give it Five stars because I'm sure there will be even better books on earth.

Rating:
Summary: Tedious
Review: I managed to get through the first 300 pages and decided I could not bear to go on. I did not care what happened to Homer or anyone else. I have placed this book in a box labeled "In Case I Ever Go To Prison" or get stranded on a barren island. Then I will be able and more than willing to finish this and other tedious books I have tried to get through.

Rating:
Summary: One of the VERY few books that gets full stars from me
Review: Wow. This book, and Margaret Atwood's A Handmaid's Tale, are the only two books IN MY LIFE that I simply could not put down. I finally finished Cider House Rules last night, and now my life can go on. Powerful! Insightful! Complex! Complete! As a woman, as a reader, as a person with socialist leanings, thank you, Irving! My faith in fiction writers has been restored. Everyone: READ THIS BOOK. You will not regret this one, I promise you that.

Rating:
Summary: A sublime view on very personal issues
Review: Not quite as charming, witty and entertaining as Garp and A Prayer for Owen Meany, this novel is somewhat distinctive from Irving's earlier books. It deals with essential issues of humanity and, thus, leaves the reader in a state of reflection. It is definitely worth being read. This novel entails a very specific tension: the gap between entertainment and the requirement, imposed upon the reader, to render moral decicions. This tension is finally resolved in the genuine, typical Irving style - magnificent.