Rating: 
Summary: The Best Novel In The Last 20 Years
Review: I read Cider House Rules soon after it was published. I recently bought the paperback
version so that I can get into it again. It is the most memorable novel I have ever read. Sadly, Irving has been unable to match it since
Rating:
Summary: An Example of Non-Preachiness
Review: The Cider House Rules is a book that deals with the complicated issue of abortion in an unusual way. John Irving resists the temptation to project his own opinion regarding abortion, while presenting both sides of the argument with equal authority. The reader loves both Wilbur Larch and Homer Wells, despite their opposing views on the issue (this, in itself a remarkable accomplishment). Larch, due to his experience with a prostitute and her daughter, developes a pro-choice attitude, while Wells, who despite being constantly exposed to the operation during his formative years, believes that abortion is wrong. Irving never gives either side an advantage, and the reader finishes the book feeling as though the debate over abortion has just begun. The book is not "pro-choice", nor is it "pro-life", but the manner and respect with which both sides are presented should give us all a lesson in appropriate conduct of political debate
Rating:
Summary: "Cider House" Rules!!
Review: I've been reading JI since 1981 when I was first introduced to Garp. Though I have always held - and will continue to hold - TSG as my touchstone in life, Cider House Rules has become my favorite Irving tale. No where else in his work are the characters so real and so lovely. I have now read the novel twice in 1996-1997 and have scheduled another reading during the 1997 Christmas season. Owen is beautiful, the Berry's are a joy, Garp and his people should rule the world, but those living under the Cider House Rules should rule our hearts. S. Rea
Rating:
Summary: A book to give to anti-abortion people
Review: Have you ever wanted to press a book on a fanatic? I would love
for every person demostrating against abortion to read this wonderful story about Dr. Larch a doctor who runs an orphanage
who gives women what they want: an orphan or an abortion. The story is also about Dr. Larch's favorite orphan, the many-times
adopted Homer Welles, who keep returning to the orphanage and '
the people in Homer's life including fellow orphan and lover
Melony; Candy and Wally and Olive; Homer and Candy's son Angel;
and the mysterious Mr. Rose.
It will also be a basic overview of running a commercial orchard.
Unforgettable and realistic characters (the working class women
who work at the orchard could have come from the local general
store) and the best arguement in favor of choice I have ever read,
but not a lecture at all.
Rating:
Summary: The many faces of obsessive love
Review: Cider House Rules ranks as one of Irving's best novels. It is the story of an orphan, his search for love and "usefulness". He grows up in an orphanage with the usual eccentric mix of Irving characters. Despite attempts towards adoption, Homer keeps returning to the orphanage; the place in which he feels useful. Dr. Larch, the ether addict founder of the orphanage, enlists Homer in his personal crusade against unwanted babies; training him as an obsetrician to perform both the "Lord's work and the Devil's work". The story explores the love between Homer and Dr. Larch, unrealized by them both for many years. It also explores the love of a fellow orphan, Melanie, in love with Homer and obsessively hatefiul of his girlfriend, she tails Homer throughout the state; finding love of her own along the way. The story is set against a stark backdrop of rural Maine and spans the first half of the century. A must read, especially for fans of Owen Meany
Rating: 
Summary: Bad Apples
Review: Being familiar with three John Irving Novels, I see three common themes: sex, swearing, (and a character with a ) speech impediment. It is likely that I will not choose to find these themes in any of his other books. I must admit my enjoyment of the movie led me to read the book. The book and movie have sharp differences. The big difference is in the book, Homer and Candy have a baby together while Wally is presumed dead. People who read Irving can not have an aversion to reading about sex. In itself, it is not bad to involve sex in the plot of a novel. The discussion of sex is not problematic, it is that the sex is deviant sex. Irving includes sex with animals and keeping pubic hair as a keep-sake in the Cider House Rules. Events like this are outside the lines of good taste. It is obvious why these events were left out of the movie. The love story in the book was beyond my comprehension. Even Melony, an apparent lesbian, is disappointed with Homer. Why would he have a son with a woman while her boyfriend is away at war while settling for "sloppy seconds" for the rest of his life. How could her real husband possibly accept the story that his wife and a friend just decided to adopt a boy while he was apparently dead in the war? The only point in the story that moves well is when you think Homer will finally tell the truth. Homer fails though. There is a lot in the story that is hard to swallow. The main theme of this book seems to be abortion. Regardless of how you feel about the issue, the argument is poor. Dr. Larch, Homer's father figure, has accepted the practice. Homer has not. As a way of ending the incestious pregnancy of his son's girlfriend , Homer accepts abortion. It appears that Irving has written nothing more than pro-choice propaganda with a lot of mixed up character in the background. While Irving is a thorough and very skilled story teller, I have grown tired of his sex obsessed themes in his novels. At least romance novels don't have a political agenda. This is one case where the movie is better than the book. The movie is more of a coming of age film than propaganda.
Rating:
Summary: Survey of Life in the Narrative
Review: "The Cider House Rules" is the first book by John Irving that I've read. For far too long I failed to listen to the opinions of others, who lauded him as one of the best and most interesting writers of our time. When I picked up the book as required reading for my first year in college, I was completely struck by the brilliance of the author's characterizations. As Hemmingway took hours thinking of the exact words to put down on paper, John Irving must have taken great time and care populating the various towns and cities of Maine. All the references as to the source of his knowledge of medical terminology and methodology shows how committed he is to conjuring up a world that, while fantastical, demands serious consideration. This book is for almost everybody. Abortion and the various philosophies concerning the viability of its ethical use is quite obviously a major theme. The gritty details, the chillingly neutral descriptions, and most heated of emotions that burst out of the characters give the reader an opportunity to consider his or her own beliefs, whether "pro-choice" or "pro-life." However, there are many other topics to be considered such as the definition of family, family life, and family values. All three terms are thrown around casually in the sociopolitical arena, but the characters in Irving's novel, like in real life, must deal with them every day; few have a consistent belief throughout their entire lives as growth (yet another but lesser theme) influences their minds. Life in many ways is unstable, for the young and old, and the various metamorphoses undergone by the characters are what made the book really endearing to my heart. Not all things are as they appear, character traits in one human may change over the course of her or his life independently of each other. It is difficult to define heroism and villainy, although we all too easily characterize others as such. Unfortunately one frequently cannot put a person in one category or the other as Harold Bloom might with Shakespeare's cast of characters where one is either "good" or "evil," important and non-essential. "The Cider House Rules" shows us how one may analyze another piece by piece when determining "moral purity" (if the so-called judge has any real right to do so in the first place). Tolerance and understanding reign triumphant in this novel, in which one sees all colors of the world's palette. "Agree to disagree" and move on with life. Spending too much time not doing so often seems to harm others, even complete strangers, that one may not even have considered; and therein lies the tragedy.
Rating: 
Summary: This book rules!
Review: I revisited 'The Cider House Rules' recently, just before picking up another of John Irving's earlier novels, and I again recalled before I reached page 25 what it was about Irving and this novel that made me fall in love with his writing. 'The Cider House Rules' is an epic, Dickensian story, a didactic old-fashioned tale of love and loss that speaks to both the most basic human dilemmas and contentious contemporary subjects. Irving writes with an absurdist aplomb that causes me to find myself laughing when I would never expect to, and cry soon thereafter; his character Homer Wells is a delight, winsome and true. 'The Cider House Rules' is an exquisite novel, and one of the greatest achievements in American letters. If you enjoyed books such as McCrae's "Children's Corner" or Wolfe's "A Man in Full," then you'll like this one as well.
Rating:
Summary: The Cider House Rules
Review: I really Iiked this book. The Cider House Rules was one of the best books that I have ever read. The Cider House Rules has a smaller introduction story line, then the main story line comes in later. The first story line is about Wilbur Larch, or Dr. Larch, as he is later known. He goes to medical school and becomes a doctor. He starts his work at a place called St. Clouds orphanage. Homer is left at the orphanage and then Homer's story begins. Homer tries to find something that he can do. Dr. Larch teaches him how to become a doctor, but Homer feels called to see the world. Dr. Larch always tries to get him to come back, but he doesn't succeed. I would recommend this book, The Cider House Rules, to people in high school or older. It has situations and male and female reproductive terms. If you are looking for a realistic fiction, then you have found the best for the part, in my opinion. If you are in high school, I would not recommend this book for any projects unless you are a fairly good speed reader. I really liked this book and it is one of the best books that I have read. Read this book if you are looking for a contemporary, realistic fiction. It is one of the best.
Rating:
Summary: Speechless, Fantastic, Brilliant.
Review: This book surely is an eye opener for those who read rather sheltered books. It was refreshing, it was, amazing. Sure, it was long, but every single word, it keeps me locked in, I can't put it down. As if I was placed under his spell and now, that's it. I'm stuck until someone takes the book out of my hands, shut it and tell me to pay attention.
I read this as a Freshman in High School, some of you may disapprove. But let your child read it, if they want to. Don't force them to or they won't get the true meaning behind the book. I was just wandering through the library as I often do and I saw the binding. It was very beaten, worn and the lettering was fading. But when I picked it up, it was heavy, full of so many things it wants to tell me.
This book is for die hard John Irving lovers, a novel which touches both side of the fence of a very controversal topic, Abortion. If you can't stomach it, go and read something by Nicholas Sparks or some other fluff writer. John Irving is for those who are just as confused as he is, and looks for sanctuary, in a world that most of society will never really know.
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