The Cider House Rules: A Novel (Modern Library) [Hardcover]

John Irving (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 3, 1999 | Series: Modern Library

First published in 1985, The Cider House Rules is John Irving's sixth novel. Set in rural Maine in the first half of this century, it tells the story of Dr. Wilbur Larch--saint and obstetrician, founder and director of the orphanage in the town of St. Cloud's, ether addict and abortionist. It is also the story of Dr. Larch's favorite orphan, Homer Wells, who is never adopted.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Superb in scope and originality, a novel as good as one could hope to find from any author, anywhere, anytime. Engrossing, moving, thoroughly satisfying."
--Joseph Heller

From the Publisher

How can anyone not love a book that simultaneously tells a deeply moving and compelling story AND explore the abortion debate with humor and evenhandedness? John Irving is my favorite author and while A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY is my favorite Irving title, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES is right up there. I love how deeply Irving knows these characters and how gradually he reveals their quirks and idiosyncracies. He knows and loves them so much, the reader can't help but love the ether-imbibing Dr. Larch and his surrogate son, the orphan Homer Wells. Irving is a consummate storyteller.

M. Coolman
Ballantine Publicity --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 592 pages
• Publisher: Modern Library; First Edition edition (November 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679603352
• ISBN-13: 978-0679603351
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 1.2 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (472 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Irving published his first novel, Setting Free the Bears, in 1968. He has been nominated for a National Book Award three times-winning once, in 1980, for the novel The World According to Garp. He also received an O. Henry Award, in 1981, for the short story "Interior Space." In 1992, Mr. Irving was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. In 2000, he won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Cider House Rules-a film with seven Academy Award nominations. In 2001, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Last Night in Twisted River is John Irving's twelfth novel.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#47 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical

#57 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Historical

#82 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#47 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical

#57 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Historical

#82 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

132 of 136 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoughtful exploration of the idea of "rules" January 11, 2000

By C Wisdom

Format:Mass Market Paperback

It amazes me how Irving can broach topics like adoption, abortion, love, faithfulness, etc. with such empathy and balance. This is the only discussion I've ever encountered of abortion, pro or con, that zeroed in on the core issue, then explored both sides of it in such an enlightening manner. And although abortion is a major theme in this novel, it's not what the book is about--it's just a way of discussing the overall theme--rules. It doesn't matter whether you're liberal, conservative, or somewhere in between. Irving will make you think, and give you a chance to question and refine some of your own views, while at the same time read a very engaging story that provokes and entertains from beginning to end.

70 of 74 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars All about choices February 16, 2000

By Jenifer Wells

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This was the first John Irving novel I ever read, back in 1989. I quickly read everything he'd had published, and aside from A Prayer for Owen Meany, this was my favorite. When you read an author's entire catalog in one sitting, you notice their habits and literary devices, and John Irving, while one of my favorite writers, had a tendency to make use of the same images over and over again (dressmaker's dummies, old men with bears and old cars with rusted out floors, etc.). However, Cider House was refreshingly free of those repetitive images, and decidedly different. It skillfully looks at issues ranging from abortion to the conditions of migrant farm workers to fidelity, while all of them are tied together by the single theme of making choices. Every choice made by every character in this novel has repercussions, and it is a mark of the excellent writing that you never feel you're being beaten over the head by the outcomes. I've not seen the movie, so I can't compare it, but if you're looking for a good book, you'll find one here.

116 of 127 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very moving and superbly crafted story June 28, 2000

By Tung Yin VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

You can't evaluate "The Cider House Rules" on the basis of the plot: to say that the book is about an orphan who grows up in an orphanage run by an abortionist, meets a young couple (there for an abortion), leaves with them, and falls in love with the woman, is to miss about 90 percent of what makes the book special.

I've only read one other book by John Irving ("The Hotel New Hampshire"), but it seems to be the case that his novels are so incredibly character-driven. As you read the books, you get the sense that he is so attuned to the people who populate his world that he could write novels centered on any of them.

Now, you are probably aware that the book is somewhat about abortion. Indeed, Irving clearly has a point to make about the pro-choice vs. pro-life debate, and it's pretty clear which side he's on. But at the same time, to say that the book is "about" abortion is like saying that "Casablanca" is about World War 2. Clearly, abortion is inextricably intertwined with the plot and the characters, but the novel is not about abortion; rather, it's about characters who have to make life decisions, including about abortion.

One final note: for better or worse, I tend not to have much patience for "literature." I've read some Dickens, but would never do so for fun. My idea of great literature is "Cryptonomicon" by Neal Stephenson. But . . . I absolutely loved reading "The Cider House Rules" and I was never bored.

58 of 65 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Book by a Wonderful Writer- but no Water-Method Man January 16, 2000

By David Benioff

Format:Mass Market Paperback

John Irving, for my money, is one of the top two or three American storytellers of our time. Like Dickens, his literary hero, Irving is always concerned with his readers' well-being. His novels range from the sublime (The World According to Garp) to the mediocre (The 158-Pound Marriage), but even the weakest are entertaining.

The Cider House Rules falls beneath sublime but well above mediocre. The characters are engaging (it would be a mean reader indeed who did not root for the protagonist, Homer Wells) and the plot meanders about pleasantly. Sometimes the tearful moments seem too easy-- nobody can stay dry-eyed when a cute little orphan keels over-- but the book bravely explores the complexities of love and abortion without preaching for any particular side.

It's a good book but if you're looking for vintage Irving, head for the classics: The World According to Garp and The Hotel New Hampshire. Or track down my personal favorite, The Water-Method Man, which remains to this day the funniest book I've ever read (with the possible exception of J.P. Donleavy's The Ginger Man).

64 of 73 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I could give it more than five stars..... January 4, 2000

By Sandy Hutchinson

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I just finished this book last night and can honestly say that I loved every single page. It was so interesting and entertaining to read that I could read twenty pages and not even remember turning one! These are my favorite kinds of novels: ones where you debate whether to spend much of each day reading because you can't wait to see what happens next or whether to slow down because you already know that you'll be sad once the book is through. I'm happy with how long it took me to read this book, but I'm still sad that it is over.

I've never gotten to know the characters in a book the way that Irving allows the reader to know them. I read some reviews on Amazon.com that claimed that the book was not good because the characters were unrealistic-- I whole-heartedly disagree. Even characters that Irving could have gotten away with making one-dimensional were anything but. I think of the stationmaster who lived near St. Clouds and, without giving anything away, I will say that he had some quirks and fears that did seem a little extreme to me in the beginning. However, Irving adds background to ALL of the characters, and invites the reader to understand their traits as they would a friend. In this way, there are no bad guys or good guys in the novel-- everyone is allowed compassion and understanding. Beyond creating an interesting story, this shows that everyone that one encounters in their life has an important story behind who they are.

John Irving also weaves different issues into The Cider House Rules: abortion, friendship, family, love (especially the importance of love to a child and to a partner). And, in addition to weaving these themes and issues into the story, Irving always has different sub plots going on in different settings....

I can't say enough about this book-- It is rare that I read a novel that makes me laugh to myself or even tear a little at certain parts (I hate when people say 'I laughed out loud! I cried!' because that doesn't really happen, does it? I miss reading The Cider House Rules and I miss the characters that I got to know like good friends. If I were to see Homer Wells again, I would say to him (like an old friend) 'Homer, I missed you' to which he would reply, 'Right,' because that's what he always says. I know, because we're friends.

Read The Cider House Rules-- John Irving has now become my favorite author. I love him so much that I just went to a nearby used bookstore and bought six more of his books. Next on my list is The World According to Garp... I can't wait. Read more ›