Rating: 
Summary: I liked the book, but don't quite understand it.
Review: I really enjoy John Irving books as they always are a little quirky and atypical. This book read like two however: Part one, the orphanage...Part two ... the apple orchard. The thing that disturbed me was that when Homer FINALLY comes clean with his quest for the truth in his relationship with Angel, he does an about face and prepares for the second phase of his life in another huge lie. I question how a character seeking truth so badly would consider living yet another lie. Homer and Larch were characters beautifully developed. Throughout the book Melony kept me in suspense, due to her explosive potential. Don't get me wrong: it was a very good book - but I can't believe how willingly Homer lives another lie.
Rating: 
Summary: Hard to Beat
Review: John Irving lives, by his choice it seems, in the shadow of Charles 'King of the Novel' Dickens. In this epic Irving casts that shadow wider with references to Dickens' works, a Dickensian structure and a very Dickensian story - an orphan, description of particular industries of the time, society descriptions and thinly disguised condemnations. However, Irving rises above comparisons to his idol through the sheer readability of this work - never has 700 pages seemed so thin (not even when Dickens' name is on the cover). Read it, try not to enjoy it and see if you don't wish to visit Mayne.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and Life-Changing
Review: What can you say after finishing a book like this incredbile beauty? Given to me as a gift, 5 years ago, I continue to keep an ever present stock to offer as gifts. I plan to reread the book again soon, and reenter the ethereal world Irving has created. Masterful! Also must read "A Prayer for Owen Meany."
Rating:
Summary: Amazing, but with anticlimax
Review: Wasn't anyone else disappointed by the end? I see all the 10's on this page. And I loved this book. But only up to a point. All throu this book, Irving weaves in Dickens' 'David Copperfield' and Bronte. He even structures his book like theirs: the story of an orphan who finds his way in the world. But in all the Dickens Irving obsessively--and for a point--refers to, the orphan's real parents appear, his/her enemies arrive, drama ensues. Why do the enemies, Vernon Lynch and Melony, never threaten Homer? Why is Vernon even in the book--did his scene where he fights Homer get edited out? Why does Homer never find out who his real parnets are? These are Dickens' traits--much like the 'Fifteen Years' device that ultimately ruins the book. This device deprives us of the drama of Wally's returm. And I never beleived that Homer was in his 40's. The characters were drawn out, but never past their 20's. So I loved this book until Wally's retun. And then I lost it. I never 'saw' Angel, Mr. Rose becomes a racist stereotype (sorry, but it's true), and the promise of the Bronte-Dickens link is never fulfilled. Venron disappears, Melony becomes anticlimactic, etc. There were better endingd available. But I still recommend the book highly--what writing! Owen is better, though.
Rating:
Summary: The best Irving novel by far!
Review: I believe this to be Irving's finest novel yet. You care deeply for all of the characters. They are funny and outrageous w/out being false. What moves me most is the theme of this book. It is not, as some would believe, about abortion. It is more about how life is not necessarily lived by the published rules. Note how the rules on the wall of the cider house are all but ignored in favor of the traditional customs of the workers. I love this book because I believe it to be, with all of its outrageousness, the truest tale of real life Irving has written.
Rating:
Summary: Prepare to be assimilated.
Review: This is the book that wrestles with 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' to sit atop the best of Irving's works. Once again, kooky characters so detailed that they seem surreal amble through life nonplussed at the insanity surrounding them. Homer Wells is the world's oldest orphan in the Saint Cloud's orphanage run by Wilbur Larch, dedicated doctor and ether addict. The story of Well's experiences growing up in and numerous excursions away from St. Cloud's is an epic one, spanning many years and a World War. Irving breathes life into his cast, and they seem to live entire lives of their own accord. You are not turning pages, but marking the passing years of existence for these amazing creations. Reading this book is like treading into quicksand. You tentatively place your foot on the first page, and are mercilessly sucked into another world you will not escape until the last word is read.
Rating:
Summary: Tied for my favorite book of all time
Review: Irving makes me cry and laugh more than any other author I know. Poignancy without sappiness; Irreverance without cynicism. His characters will be your daily companions years after you finish reading this book for the 2nd, 3rd or 4th time.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL!!!!!
Review: I read the Ciderhouse Rules about 7 years ago. I thought it was a very enjoyable story. I am a chemist, at work we use ether for fat extractions. Everytime I see the large can of ether, I always think of this novel. I highly recommend this book. I also loved A Son Of the Circus.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Novel I Have Ever Read
Review: This novel should ultimately garner the Nobel Prize for Literature for Mr. Irving
Rating:
Summary: I liked the book .... and I'm pro-life
Review: Yea, that's right. One of my pro-death co-workers gave me this book to read because she thought it would change my mind about infanticide. Well it did, I am now more against infanticide than ever. This is a story about a doctor with substace abuse problems who takes the life of unborn children so that he won't have to take care of them at his orphanage when they are born. The doctor tries to manipulate one of his former orphans so that he will continue with this illegal and immoral practice through deceit, even though it is against the child's beliefs. It's a good book, but you should be able to read in-between the lines. I suggest that you read the book, be you pro-life or pro-death, and think about the choices and reponsibilities of the characters involved and how they affect other people (born or unborn)
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