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The Cider House Rules
 
 
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The Cider House Rules (Mass Market Paperback)

by John Irving (Author) "In the hospital of the orphanage-the boy's division at St. Cloud's, Maine-two nurses were in charge of naming the new babies and checking that their..." (more)
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Mass Market Paperback: 598 pages
  • Publisher: Ballantine Books; Reprint edition (31 Oct 1999)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0345387651
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345387653
  • Product Dimensions: 17 x 10.4 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 615,913 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #43 in  Books > Fiction > 20th Century Classics > Irving, John

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Product Description

From the Publisher
reviews
'Funnier than Garp…it's an irresistibly readable yarn spun by a master's voice' Time Out

'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

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

'Like the rest of Irving's fiction, it is often disconcerting, but always exciting and provoking' Observer --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover
Set among the apple orchards of rural Maine, it is a perverse world in which Homer Wells' odyssey begins. As the oldest unadopted offspring at St Cloud's orphanage, he learns about the skills which, one way or another, help young and not-so-young women, from Wilbur Larch, the orphanage's founder, a man of rare compassion with an addiction to ether.

Dr Larch loves all his orphans, especially Homer Wells. It is Homer's story we follow, from his early apprenticeship in the orphanage, to his adult life running a cider-making factory and his strange relationship with the wife of his closest friend. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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In the hospital of the orphanage-the boy's division at St. Cloud's, Maine-two nurses were in charge of naming the new babies and checking that their little penises were healing from the obligatory circumcision. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews

27 Reviews
5 star:
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4 star:
 (6)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, 11 Feb 2002
This review is from: Cider House Rules - The Novel (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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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Never read Irving ? Got some time ?, 21 Jan 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: The Cider House Rules (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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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, enthralling, challenging..., 10 May 2007
By S. Gilmore (Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Cider House Rules - The Novel (Paperback)
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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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A good novel
The Cider House Rules is a good example of John Irving at his best - it's a long, rich, complex and always fulfilling novel. Read more
Published 15 months ago by BookWorm

4.0 out of 5 stars Cider House Rules: brilliant read
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... Read more
Published on 18 Jul 2007 by bookjohn

5.0 out of 5 stars Tiredness at work
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. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2007 by K. Adams

5.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff
One of my favourite books. If you haven't read Irving before, I'd recommend starting with this or "The World According to Garp". Read more
Published on 19 Jul 2006 by Mr. S. Moulster

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Irving Storytelling
This is a marvellous book, with a cast of sympathetic and memorable characters, all underpinned by wonderful Wilber Larch.
I would recommend this to all. Read more
Published on 26 May 2006 by GeeJayBee

5.0 out of 5 stars MIND STIMULATING AND CHALLENGING!!!!!
I READ THIS BOOK A FEW YEARS AGO, AND i HAVE READ MAYBE ANOTHER HUNDRED SINCE,BUT THIS IS JOHN IRVING AT HIS BEST...AND I STILL HAVEN'T SEEN THE FILM VERSION. Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2004 by elenivaschef

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful !
I've read this wonderful book three times now, and each time have fallen until its potent spell. I've both laughed and suffered with its characters on each occasion, and when I... Read more
Published on 1 Sep 2003 by Gary J. Clark

3.0 out of 5 stars Classic Irving, but not his best
Without any doubt "The cider house..." is a must-have for anyone who likes John Irving. I found it one of his most tender books, because of the relatively slow pace and the quiet... Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2003 by Tigerrtje

4.0 out of 5 stars if you loved the film
I loved this book. I thought the film was moving, a bit of a girlie film.Both film and book cover the subjects of abortion and child abuse and should be quite heavy going. Read more
Published on 13 Oct 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars I had to force myself to put it down. Amazing
Irvings books always keep me enthralled, the ciderhouse rules was no exception, a definate must for all Irving fans, Homers Wells is an amazing strong willed character, and Dr... Read more
Published on 9 April 2002

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