Rating: 
Summary: A Classic Story.
Review: First of all,don't read this book and expect it to be like the movie;it's both different and in a lot of ways,better. In other ways,I liked the movie better. But generally speaking this was one of the best books I've ever read;Irving writes so you feel these people are a part of your life and you are glad for it;the abortion issue is expertly handled;it's neither pounded into the ground or soft-pedaled and he lets you draw your own conclusions about it. This book is a modern classic, and,in my opinion, should be required reading along-side Dr.Larch's beloved Dickens.
Rating: 
Summary: Pleased With Book....Not with Movie
Review: I watched the Film Cider House rules, and with all movies the book was 10 times better. If you are looking for a good book to read The Cider House Rules is one of the best. I t keeps ypu interested the whole way through, and every part is relivant to the novel in some way.
Rating:
Summary: Slow but, interesting story!
Review: I had not read John Irving before, but had heard the movie was really good. I wanted to read the novel first. The story started out slow, but the story was interesting and kept me wanting to read more. The way that he told the story of Dr Larch and his involvement with Homer ( or should I say love for) was intreging. The abortion issue in the book I think is what carries you through. That and how might Homer return to the place he is tied to. Some parts should have been expanded a bit especially Melanie. Her story was off and did not fit well in the last half of the novel. She could have been a bit more pivitol. All in all I feel it was well worth sticking with and reading. I am looking forward to reading more of Mr Irving's works. Starting with A Widow for One Year.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting!
Review: This was an amazing novel! I don't want to undermine the excellent performances (especially Michael Caine) in the movie, but the novel was much, much, much better. I read the book before I saw the movie and my appreciation for it was increased all the more. Irving's story-telling is absolutely beautiful and intriguing--his creative characters and storyline are brilliant. I truly enjoyed reading this heart-warming novel and I will continue to read Irving's works. Wow.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: The book is better than the movie! Wonderful characters, interesting plot. I keep prolonging finishing this book because I don't want it to end!
Rating: 
Summary: Ran out of steam
Review: I absolutely loved the first half of this story, then it just seemed to run out of steam. The novel starts at one level and just goes on and on and on at the same level. There's no real narrative tension and less plot than your typical novel. Granted, the focus of the book were the characters, but the only character who changed substantially was Melony, a minor character. The main character did change at the very end, but it was so predictable as to be laughable. I had to force myself to read the last third of the book and was sorry I did because there is no payoff at the end.
Rating:
Summary: A truly enjoyable book
Review: I am a new fan of John Irving, having been introduced to his work by watching the movie version of "The Cider House Rules." Having seen the movie before reading the book, I was prepared to be disappointed by the differences between them, but I found instead that Irving's book is much more meaty than the movie, more human and more complicated than the movie could ever have hoped to be. The movie is still very good, but the book is much more than good. Dr. Wilbur Larch is a truly interesting character, and Michael Caine was a perfect cast in the movie. Irving's character development is most obvious in the two main characters, Larch and Homer Wells, especially his use of catchphrases and mantras specific to personalities in his works. Larch is enigmatic to the point of frustration, subverting his desires and needs to those of "the children" from the first page to the last. His ether addiction is never excused nor celebrated, as is the subject of abortion throughout the story. Homer Wells is another exciting character for Irving. Here we have a conflicted man, a human being, living with lies and half-truths his entire life, breaking "the rules" while expecting others to live by them in their own circumstances. The movie version paints a much different picture of Homer Wells; in the novel, Homer is much more complete and MUCH more frustrating. THE CIDER HOUSE RULES was a great read for me, a book I devoured in a week without much effort on my part. This is a good American story, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an honest novel about real, conflicted, complicated people.
Rating:
Summary: Why you should read this book!
Review: First of all, The Cider House Rules is an amazing circular story with wonderful characters, thoughtful topics, and interesting stories. I felt compassion for some characters and extreme hatred for others. I wanted to be there in the story, be involved in these people's lives. For those of you who have seen the movie...don't base your decision to read this on that. It was a very good movie, no doubt, but the book is magical. There is so much more to base opinions on and you see the real side of everyone. Read this if you love John Irving's style and thought provoking stories.
Rating:
Summary: A landscape story
Review: I just finished this novel and was only disappointed that it had to end. Another Irving classic; it is populated by the most interesting characters yet written in such a laid back way that nothing seems too forced or strident. A story with a message (as all good stories are) but not one that is preached. It lies there waiting for the reader's discovery, waiting to be revealed through the story's thought provoking moments. The message? Best let you work that out for yourself. Just enjoy the process. A thoroughly entertaining journey through the characters' intertwined, complex, tragic and, finally, redemed lives.
Rating:
Summary: A Study in Choice
Review: This book is a wonderful book to show us how life is what we choose to make it be. This trutfully is a book about life. The characters are described in vivid detail and you develop an intimate understanding of who they are and what motivates them. Despite their circumstances they make choices about what direction they want their lives to take. Although we may not always agree with the choices they make, we can at least understand why they made that choice and what the consequences were. I read this book at a time of my life where I had to make choices about my future and work through things in my past. It helped me to realize that no matter what held me back in the past I can choose what direction I want my life to take.
|
