A good novel
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The Cider House Rules is a good example of John Irving at his best - it's a long, rich, complex and always fulfilling novel. Those who are familiar with Irving's other books will recognise the basic premise - it follows the life of an American man in unconventional circumstances - but his books are too complex and quirky to be formulaic.
Homer Wells, the protagonist, is a well developed central character, and he is supported by a cast of vivid and eccentric supporting acts. Irving describes all of his characters, however minor, in great detail - occasionally almost too much. As in all Irving books (that I have read) an important role is played by a dominating, overpoweringly strong female character who influences Homer in his early life. This character is present in everything I have read by him thus far. At least this incarnation is more likeable than some of the others I have encountered.
Wells grows up in an orphanage run by the saintly Dr Larch. An important theme of the story is abortion - Larch performs them illegally but safely, after seeing the horrific consequences of 'back street' abortions. Irving clearly conducted a great deal of gynaecological research, and the process of abortion is described in graphic detail. Therefore anyone who finds this topic upsetting should steer clear of the novel.
One of the best things about this novel - as with all Irving's work - is that it's never clear what is going to happen. Like real life, it is a journey and a surprise. There is no clear end point for the reader to reach, therefore it remains surprising and fresh throughout.
My only real criticisms would be the very long chapters - which make it hard to pick up and put down - and a tendancy towards a little too much detail at times, especially with regards to non-central characters.
Overall though it's a very well written story and has more humour than a lot of Irving's books. Not as good as 'A Prayer for Owen Meany', but probably the best of the rest.
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Cider House Rules: brilliant read
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While Cider House Rules sometimes gets lost in its densely woven plots, rarely have I read such a beautifully presented story with such interesting, elaborate and well developed characters.
Irving resents us three main characters: Dr Larch, a saintly doctor in a Maine orphanage; Homer Wells, an orphan and Larch's assistant whom the novel focuses on; and Melony a brutal orphan quite different from Homer, but who influences his life utterly. This is the story of being an orphan, first in the orphanage from which Homer is never adopted and then his life working on a cider farm.
Much of his development is set in a context of sexual attitudes and his sexual understanding. Working with Larch and being Melony's `man', Homer (and the reader) is exposed to a youth of graphic gynaecological detail and a frank and basal use of sex. We then see him change as he falls in love in an impossible situation, which defines the rest of his life.
Much is made of the abortion issues in Cider House Rules, but in all they serve to reflect the themes of the plots - breaking the rules. The subject is treated carefully and allows many insights, through the complex nature of abortion morals, into the characters you, increasingly, cannot help loving in the novel.
This is a light hearted, endearing, and heart breaking book. The breadth and depth of the characters and plot leaves the reader wanting more, although the book can lull (particularly struggling at the beginning). Rarely have I felt so close to a book's protagonists. Irving does a superb job as a story teller - highly recommended.
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Gripping, enthralling, challenging...
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I loved this book; the 'cast' contains a number of memorable characters who are well-drawn and likeable. The book deals with love, morality and culture and is a fascinating and challenging read. The author includes notes which suggest he has done a reasonable amount of research into the medical and apple-growing procedures which are discussed.
This book challenged my own sense of morality and ethics, particularly around the area of abortion.
It is also very funny! Definitely a must-read.
I guess any Irving book will always be compared with Owen Meaney and Garp; to my mind, this is the best I've read.
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Tiredness at work
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I'm just sat on my dinner break and I'm feeling very tired.
The blame rest's solely on John Irvings shoulders, I just couldnt put this book down last night.
The story line is fantastic and the futher I read it just seemed to bring me closer to maine and the characters.
I will be reading more by Irving because of this book although I know I will return to this book again and again.
I would reccomend this book to anyone that enjoys reading.
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Good stuff
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One of my favourite books. If you haven't read Irving before, I'd recommend starting with this or "The World According to Garp". If you like those, go to "The Hotel New Hampshire", "A Prayer for Owen Meany" and then the rest.
I'm not good at long books, but don't baulk at an Irving; though I often feel they could be a bit shorter really. Nevertheless, always a fantastic read.
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