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Cider House Rules - The Novel [Paperback]

John Irving (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
RRP: £8.99
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Book Description

Publication Date: 1 July 1986 | Series: Black Swan

'The reason Homer Wells kept his name was that he came back to St Cloud's so many times, after so many failed foster homes, that the orphanage was forced to acknowledge Homer's intention to make St Cloud's his home.'

Homer Wells' odyssey begins among the apple orchards of rural Maine. As the oldest unadopted child at St Cloud's orphanage, he strikes up a profound and unusual friendship with Wilbur Larch, the orphanage's founder - a man of rare compassion and an addiction to ether. What he learns from Wilbur takes him from his early apprenticeship in the orphanage surgery, to an adult life running a cider-making factory and a strange relationship with the wife of his closest friend...

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Cider House Rules - The Novel + The World According To Garp (Black Swan) + A Prayer For Owen Meany
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Product details

  • Paperback: 704 pages
  • Publisher: Black Swan; New Ed edition (1 July 1986)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0552992046
  • ISBN-13: 978-0552992046
  • Product Dimensions: 12.7 x 3.5 x 19.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 32,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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John Irving
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Review

The Cider House Rules is difficult to define and impossible not to admire (Daily Telegraph )

John Irving has been compared with Kurt Vonnegut and J. D. Salinger but is arguably more inventive than either. Wry, laconic, he sketches his characters with an economy that springs from a feeling for words and mastery over his craft. This superbly original book is one to be read and remembered (The Times )

Funnier than Garp...it's an irresistibly readable yarn spun by a master's voice (Time Out )

Like the rest of Irving's fiction, it is often disconcerting, but always exciting and provoking (Observer )

Book Description

A masterpiece from one of the great contemporary American writers.
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly trouching yet controversial tale 7 Jan 2001
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Although I consider myself fairly well-read, I had never picked up a John Irving book in the past. I actually bought this book because I'd heard about the movie. (sidebar: DO NOT see the movie after reading this book-it is surfacy, american pap with the depth and passion removed.)

I found this book completely engrossing. It was so touching and passionate while telling a tale largely involving the difficult, delicate subject of abortion. The characters are well-written and, even though most would be considered misfits, the reader gets under their skin and roots for them, even the defiant Melony.

This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a novel which tugs at the heartstrings while being thought-provoking.

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Never read Irving ? Got some time ? 20 Jan 2002
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Most people come across Irving via "A Prayer for Owen Meany", which has a startling fanatical following. "Cider House" is a better story: ok, its hardly concise, ok, he lulls you almost to boredom before dropping the gore on you, or better yet, making you laugh out loud - ever wondered what goes through a toddler's mind sliding down a hill in a cardboard box and having his forward progress halted by a corpse ? - but sometimes, as in this book, his prose becomes poetic. Let it roll over you, if you've never read Irving, this is the one to try.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling 11 Feb 2002
By London Lou
Format:Paperback
The Cider House Rules is an engrossing saga that slowly draws the reader into the lives of Dr. Wilbur Larch and the young orphan, Homer Wells. Not only does it follow their unusual relationship over many years but woven into the story is a series of sub-plots, involving secondary characters, which build the book into a true drama. Often quirky, but quintessentially human, the characters are given colour by compelling descriptions of their, often odd, attitudes, beliefs and interactions with others - the historical and geographical details are all effortlessly woven into this beautifully crafted story. In the context of a novel, social commentary abounds in the story without ever voyaging into the realms of a historical novel or descriptive narrative - the book stays constantly loyal to the journey through life of Dr. Larch and Homer. The true strength of this book is how it subtly draws you in, at first the behaviour of the characters seems completely alien and they appear to be a product of a bygone time. However, as the book progresses you pick-up poignant insights into their motives. For me, the true genius of this book is the empathy you feel with the characters, especially those that are not immediately appealing. This is a very human book which deals with the subject of abortion, often a taboo subject, particularly in American society, with human feeling and without passing judgement.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars understanding some of the 1800
enyjoyed the book an gave an insight to the 1800.an how abortion was treated an the women of the time .the hero of the story was the dr
Published 2 months ago by deborah parkinson
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good
An unusual story worth reading.John Irving has a unique style and viewpoint which never fails to stimulate the reader's thinking
Published 2 months ago by Mr. S. Harrington
2.0 out of 5 stars over-descriptive boring parts..
I cannot help it, but cannot rate this book with a good points at all.. Perhaps the story is great when you manage to finish the whole book it will come together, but as reading... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Kakarinka
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting read
I really enjoyed this book. I bought it after watching the film. It's both powerful and poignant and deals with some challenging moral dilemmas.
Published 4 months ago by Becky
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
My second favourite Irving over after Owen Meany. Wonderful stuff, elegant character development. The film was good but didn't fully explore all the themes or ideas in the book. Read more
Published 5 months ago by D
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing classic
One of his best. A typical, weird and wonderful classic by John Irving. One of his very best. Highly recommended.
Published 5 months ago by mcah
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
I read this on holiday and couldn't put it down. Interesting, really clever story and sometimes so thought provoking it makes you understand the character of Homer much more than... Read more
Published 10 months ago by mistykerry8015
4.0 out of 5 stars entertains - and instructs - on many levels - strongly recommended!
This novel entertains - and indeed instructs - on many levels.

This is a story about a doctor, Wilbur Larch, who runs an orphanage but who also gives illegal abortions... Read more
Published on 31 Jan 2011 by William Jordan
5.0 out of 5 stars The Cider House Rules by John Irving
I loved this book about Homer Wells an Orphan born at St Clouds orphanage in Maine. Everyone loves his sweet disposition yet all the adoptions set up for Homer Wells are... Read more
Published on 29 Jun 2010 by P. A. Cunningham
5.0 out of 5 stars Another work of genius
There's no doubt about it: John Irving is a genius. I don't know of any other author to whom I've given three of his books five stars, but this is another, and I've yet to read... Read more
Published on 17 May 2010 by R. Creer
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