Rating: 
Summary: Quite simply, his best work!
Review: Although the apparent subject matter of abortion may be difficult for some to accept, this book is about affirming life, not ending it. Isn't the best any of us can hope is that we are "of use"? John Irving has brillantly created characters filled with life and hope, and offset them against poignant reminders that every life has its own pathos, seen or unseen by those around them.
Rating: 
Summary: HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT
Review: The Cider House Rules was one of the worst books I've ever subjected myself to read. I felt as if I was not getting into the heads of any of the characters. I was not feeling, even though Wilbur was devastated of losing a "son" in Homer I could care less. Usually with any well written books I am completely entranced, turning the pages one after another, swept in emotions. With this novel I would rather watch a movie for the fifth time or a television show rerun. I would seriously suggest not reading this particular Irving novel,but rather a worthwhile book such as, A Prayer For Owen Meany, or A Widow for One Year. These are meaningful, interesting books that you will not fall asleep reading.
Rating:
Summary: Quite simply, it's my favorite.
Review: My daughter and I live only a few miles apart however, we both have Cider House Rules in hard cover as we know we will read it over and over through the coming years...
Rating:
Summary: Writing and Research that earns its respect and interest
Review: Not quite as intertaining as A Prayer For Owen Meany, still Cider House Rules impresses both with Mr. Irving's incredible research and knowledge as well as displaying a fine-tuned ability to tell original, captivating stories. These are real people in real times, dealing with tough issues. They are everyday men and women whose lives fascinate. John Irving does not lead the reader to the expected nor the impossible. It is a sad book to finsh and leave the in-depth characters behind. One can hope that this book teaches the history behind abortion issues, to make us think carefully before we jump to righteous conclusions--it is presented factually, historically, thoughtfully, and personally. When abortion issues are shown lived rather than simply professed in ivory towers, it shows how it effects the lives of the people who must live within such restrictions. Cider House Rules, Five stars for research, writing, and story-telling.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Irving
Review: This is the third Irving book I've read in a row. Think I'd rate this one higher than owen meany, but lower than Garp. Cider House is better written than Garp and certainly is more fully realized, but Garp had this great energy that exploded from every page. So maybe for me Garp and Cider House tied. You don't hear about this one as often as Garp or Owen Meany, but it's still great.
Rating:
Summary: Exactly what a book should be.
Review: I can't believe that there was even one person who thought this was a poor book. It was without exception the best book I have read in a very long time. Irving's writing skill stopped me cold many time. There were simple sentences that took my breath away. I purposely limited the amount of pages I read in a day. I never wanted it to end. Like all books that I think are good, I have no plans to see the movie. I have yet to see a movie do justice to the written word.
Rating: 
Summary: Five Things I learned from The Cider House Rules:
Review: 1.Everyone has their own set of rules. These should be respected.
2.You can only wait and see for so long.
3.Abortion should remain legal.
4.Sometimes loving someone isn't enough to make a difference.
5.Sometimes it is.
Rating:
Summary: It's So Perfect, This is My Second Review
Review: I wrote once before that this is my favorite book of all time. It still is in fact. But I'm actually writing to ask if anyone out there knows anything about the movie version of THE CIDER HOUSE RULES which is in the making? I know John Irving is writing the screenplay himself, and I also heard another rumor that Leonardo diCaprio is scheduled the play Homer (Heaven deliver us; let's hope that, if this is true, it won't turn into another "TITANIC" and make millions of dollars because teenage girls can't control their prepubescent puppy love for an untalented poster boy.) Whew. Anyway, if anyone has any info on the movie, please e-mail me.
Rating:
Summary: Tangy like good cider!
Review: Although I closed the back cover on Owen Meany and opened the front cover of Cider House, I found myself loving Homer with similar warmth to my feelings for Owen. Religious themes were a strong undercurrent to both books. In Cider House, the diversity of approaches to the issue of abortion was presented within the context of love, concern and respect for the participants. Refreshing!Different than Owen, I had some difficulty feeling connection to the characters who were presented in the latter part of the book. Although they were useful in fleshing out the theme that all of us have rules in our lives which we circumvent and/or change, I found myself feeling unsympathetic to some of their lives. Cider House was still a good read and boosted me on to perusing other Irving novels.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully woven tale of love and self-awareness
Review: wonderfully woven story of the orphan Homer Wells and the orphanage in St. Cloud's, Maine run by Dr. Larch, Nurse Edna (who adores him) and Nurse Angela, and how Homer finds a place at the apple orchard with Wally and Candy. One too many chance encounters when Melony decides to show up at the orchard long after she had given up her quest, begun 15 years earlier. Abortion is a prominent theme throughout the story and is the alternative purpose of the orphanage. The "rules" refer literally to rules intended to govern the conduct of the apple pickers who live in the cider house during the season. These rules, like mostly everyone else's rules in the book for living, are rarely adhered to. All people have rules of one sort or another, but who really abides by them all the time?
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