Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, yet flawed
Review: Toward the end of "The Cider House Rules," a character who works in a World War II shipyard decides to build his own torpedo. Since torpedoes are dangerous things, this particular development seemed illuminated in neon: Something big is going to happen, folks! Well, no. The torpedo, at least dramatically speaking, turns out to be a dud. But it does a wonderful job of symbolizing my main beef with "The Cider House Rules." It's a very interesting novel flawed by the series of duds presented to the reader. The plot comes across more like a recitation of historical facts -- there's a hint of autobiography -- rather than a presentation of drama. Take Dr. Wilbur Larch. He's the intricately drawn headmaster of the orphanage. As an abortionist, Larch risks his freedom and his reputation with each operation, at least the narrator dutifully notes periodically. Foreshadowing? Let's just say it isn't. And then there's Homer Wells. He's conflicted on abortions: he wants them legal though resolute that he won't perform them. Resolute, at least, until Irving decides otherwise. It's not an impossible transformation, but one that deserved more than the few paragraphs devoted to Homer's change of heart. Despite those flaws, the book is fascinating. It isn't often that abortion takes the center stage of a novel, and I was enthralled by the details Irving presents. Curiously -- possibly purposefully -- the book avoids much tenderness over lovemaking. Although there is much love in the book, including a rather bizarre triangle, it remains clinical procreation. In fact, just about each documented act of copulation results in an unwanted pregnancy. It gives the book a Dickensian feel, which might exactly be the point. There are touchesk, but too few, of Irving's wonderful sense of humor. One scene I'll carry with me for years: a young boy insisting he's the best orphan at St. Cloud's. "The Cider House Rules" isn't the best Irving book on the shelf -- I'd give that honor to "A Prayer for Owen Meany" or "The World According to Garp" -- but it is an interesting read.
Rating: 
Summary: Marvelous themes of fatherhood
Review: Outside of "King Lear", there aren't too many books that I feel really capture the ambigious nature of the parent/child relationship. In the case of this book, John Irving had to make the main character an orphan to capture the proper mix of distance and love that characterizes the relationship between father and son. There's been alot of attention paid to the controversy over abortion so thoroughly discussed in this book, and also to the way that John Irving clearly comes down on the pro-choice side, but abortion in this book functions more as a symbol of issues of free will and destiny than anything else. There are a lot of uncomfortable conclusions drawn about one's ability to create his/her own personality and chose one's own destiny, but Homer Wells is such an amiable character, it's fun to go along with him even when things are hard. Entertaining and thoughtful read.
Rating:
Summary: A Book That Will Stick With You Forever!
Review: Whenever I begin a John Irving novel, I know I am in for a long haul. Not only is The Cider House Rules a 560 page novel with chapters that are longer than 50 pages, Cider House is chock full of greatness in every paragraph. I honestly cannot miss one single word when I am reading. I sit and ponder as I am reading. Reading so thoroughly should take about a year, but with Irving the time flies.I read the whole book in about a week. An amazing feat for a college student with a load of work to do each night. I couldn't put it down. Once I learned about the Boy Who Belonged to St. Cloud's, I was hooked. I had to read what was going on with Homer. He became a part of me. A part of me that I will hold close to my heart for a long time. The stories in Cider House are deep and involved. They intertwine and kept me guessing what was going to come next. The plot is fast-paced and will hook you from the beginning. I fell in love with Homer Wells. He is the standard upon which all over male characters in any book I read for the rest of my life will be based. He is my favorite character ever. When I finished reading Cider House I started to cry. I felt like a fool, but I honestly had to release the emotions I felt throughout the whole book. I had to mourn the loss of the best book I had ever read. I was very scared to watch the movie, but my roommate insisted I had to have some closure with the book. So, I found everything John Irving had ever written about writing the screenplay and was reassured. I knew what changes were made and why Irving had to make them. It was also reassuring knowing that the author of the novel also wrote the screenplay. He was the one who decided what to leave out and what to add -- not some hot shot Hollywood person. Plus, Irving won an Academy Award, so I was prepared. The movie did do the book justice and it was great closure for me. This book will stick with me forever. Not a day will go by when I won't think of Homer Wells like he is a long lost relative. I have to remind myself that Homer Wells is a character, not real, and I should not obsess so much. But, hey, I am entitled to a little obession, right?...
Rating:
Summary: Oft Overrated
Review: I picked up my copy of this book at an airport when I realized I'd packed all of my books in the checked baggage, so I have to admit it's not the sort of book I would normally gravitate toward. I read it almost nonstop during the 12-hour flight, but in a way I felt I was doing so against my will. As so many people have noted, Mr. Irving is a masterful storyteller and the subtlety of his humor and observations of human nature pulled me through the book even as my mind revolted against the weak, unconvincing and almost pointless plot. I didn't find any of the characters to be especially likeable or interesting with the possible exception of Dr. Larch (Homer the Heroesque was particularly annoying, inconsistent, and unbelievable) and even he wasn't someone I'd care to know in real life. If I found myself in the position of having to choose between John Irving and Maeve Binchey again I'd choose Mr. Irving every time, but I can't imagine actually seeking him out in a bookstore.
Rating: 
Summary: wow - overwhelming book that makes you think!
Review: I enjoyed reading this book. It really makes you rethink your ideas about abortion as the main character does.
Rating:
Summary: Wasn't as exciting as I thought it'll be
Review: After reading "A Prayer for Owen Meany", I was eager to read another book written by John Irving. However, I must say that "The Cider House Rules" is not as good as I thought it'll be. This book deals with the relationship between Homer Wells, an orphan and Dr. Wilbur Larch, who runs the orphanage. Even though abortion is illegal, women still find their ways to St. Cloud if they need an abortion or after deliveries, they'll leave their babies there for adoption. Homer's relationship with Dr. Larch grew closer over time, even though they never admitted to each other how important the other person is. Homer also learns from Dr. Larch, how to deliver a baby and at the same time, also learns how to give abortions. Homer did not think that abortion is right but he thinks women have a right to choose whether they want to give birth to unwanted babies or not. He, however, would not do it himself personally. This book deals a lot of abortion and even though the author showed us the pro and con of it, I cannot but feel that the author is leaning towards pro-choice. I think this book would be a lot better if Irving would develop more about Homer's objection to abortion.
Rating:
Summary: Another John Irving masterpiece (is it his best?)
Review: I have a grudging admiration for Irving's novels: his descriptive powers are sharp and defined and his plots are as composed and delightful as a painting. His themes are always a disturbing combination of human greatness and human evil. This conflict is probably why I have the mixed feelings. For example; in Cider House Rules, Irving creates a wonderful character in Dr. Larch. However, Dr. Larch administers his medicine, including abortion, with a deepfelt personal charity for the patient but a strange detachment from moral issues. Homer Wells, the other main character in the book, is another Garp; misbegotten, a kind of loser on the surface, but with special abilities underneath. So if you liked The World According to Garp, Prayer for Owen Meany, you'll recognize a continuing theme in Homer Wells and in Cider House Rules. It's a page-turner and crafted superbly. If you like Irving's other novels or are reading Irving for the first time; this is a great choice. If you are disturbed by frankly written medical scenes or by depictions of abortion, you will want to avoid this novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Weak Plot, No Strong Characters
Review: I started out with much anticipation but was disappointed with this novel. The novel starts out with strong characters and a strong plot but weakens miserably by the end. It's as if the author could not finish the story and did patchwork on it. The only character in the book that is strong is the old doctor's. The story is completely unbelivable in any age and time. You do not feel for the characters (except for the old doctor). In this era of discussion regarding abortion, the only thing the book accomplishes is highlighting the plight of women who could not make their own choices due to the government rules. Other than that it is a complete disappointment!
Rating:
Summary: i'm lobbying jeff bezos to let me
Review: give this book more than 5 stars. my commute to work is an hour each way so i have plenty of time to read. this book has become my favorite of all-time. there is an endless amount of symbolism which spawns several more novels within the main story. someone told me that this story was about abortion. that is not the case. abortion to this book is like oil to a car. it allows the story to be told but it doesn't dominate the story to the point where it drowns the true message. the characters are well developed and their experiences range from scary to routine to comical. if you saw the movie and liked it, you will treasure the book. the movie did not even come close to developing the characters or symbolism as well as the book does. in summation, this is money well spent and i bet you become an irving fan if you aren't already.
Rating:
Summary: John Irving Is God!
Review: I love Irving and have enjoyed every word of his I have ever read. Thankfully I have yet to run out of John Irving to read - I pace myself so I wont run out too soon. Anyhow, Cider House Rules certainly did not disappoint! This is a beautiful story that of course the movie just can't do justice too. Although the story told here is probably not one most of us have lived. The theme of growing up and growing away is something most of us can understand. Be sure to read the book before you see the movie - both are good in there own way.
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