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10 Local Warehouse Literature- A to Z

The Cider House Rules

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The Cider House Rules Cover

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

The Cider House Rules is set in rural Maine in the first half of this century. It tells the story of Homer Wells, an orphan who is raised and mentored by Wilbur Larch, the doctor at the orphanage. Dr. Larch teaches Homer everything about medicine. Yet though his capacity for kindness is saintly, Larch is also an ether addict. He and Homer come into conflict, which is typical of many father-son relationships, but in this case their conflict is intensified by their disagreement about abortion. The result is that Homer leaves the only family he has ever known.

Homer's new life provides more excitement than he could have imagined, especially when he falls in love for the first time. But, when forced to make decisions that will change the course of his future, Homer realizes that he can't escape his past. The Cider House Rules is ultimately about the choices we make and the rules that are meant to be broken.

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

Review:

"Witty, tenderhearted, fervent, and scarifying....This novel is an example, now rare, of the courage of imaginative ardor." The New York Times Book Review

Review:

"John Irving's sixth and best novel....He is among the very best storytellers at work today. At the base of Irving's own moral concerns is a rare and lasting regard for human kindness." Philadelphia Inquirer

Review:

"An old-fashioned, big-hearted novel...with its epic yearnings caught in the 19th century, somewhere between Trollope and Twain....The rich detail makes for vintage Irving...straightforward and tender." Boston Sunday Globe

Review:

"Irving is in top form in this capacious novel of personal discovery....Deft realism in both scene and characterization...The Cider House Rules is a mature, entertaining novel." Library Journal

Review:

"A moving, sometimes hilarious, and unfailingly entertaining story." St. Petersburg Times

Review:

"John Irving is the most relentlessly inventive writer around...A truly astounding amount of artistry and ingenuity....Entertaining and affecting." San Diego Union

Synopsis:

Raised from birth in the orphanage at St. Cloud's, Maine, Homer Wells has become the protege of Dr. Wilbur Larch, its physician and director. There Dr. Larch cares for the troubled mothers who seek his help, either by delivering and taking in their unwanted babies or by performing illegal abortions. Meticulously trained by Dr. Larch, Homer assists in the former, but draws the line at the latter. Then a young man brings his beautiful fiancee to Dr. Larch for an abortion, and everything about the couple beckons Homer to the wide world outside the orphanage...

Synopsis:

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.

Synopsis:

First published in 1985, The Cider House Rules is set in rural Maine in the first half of the twentieth century. The novel tells the story of Dr. Wilbur Larch-saint and obstetrician, founder and director of the orphanage in the town of St. Clouds, ether addict and abortionist. This is also the story of Dr. Larchs favorite orphan, Homer Wells, who is never adopted.
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About the Author

John Irving is the bestselling author of numerous novels, including The World According to Garp, The Hotel New Hampshire, A Prayer for Owen Meany, and A Widow for One Year. He lives in Vermont and Toronto, Ontario.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
Magnolia Rando, April 27, 2012 (view all comments by Magnolia Rando)
Cider House Rules is a story of Homer Wells, an orphan born in the St. Cloud orphanage in 1930 something and the doctor who delivered him, Dr. Wilbur Larche. The supporting characters are many and each has their own imperfections. As with A Prayer for Owen Meany (Vietnam), Irving sets his story around a controversial theme, for Cider House Rules, it is abortion. Unlike the Vietnam war controversy in Owen Menay, Irving viewed the abortion issue from both sides. A person with strong anti-abortion feelings will probably not like this book. Yet for someone who is indifferent, it gives them an interesting view to both sides.
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starsky7, December 4, 2007 (view all comments by starsky7)
the cider house rules is one of my favorite novels. it's a melancholy liberal awakening that adds more character to its pages than any other writing of the 1900's. john irving has put a new standard to classic american literature and brought forth a divine truth and essence into the minds and mouths of his creation, and a fresh imagination to the term fiction.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780345417947
Author:
Irving, John
Publisher:
Ballantine Books
Location:
New York :
Subject:
General
Subject:
Literary
Subject:
Fiction
Subject:
Novels and novellas
Subject:
Literature
Subject:
American fiction (fictional works by one author)
Subject:
Abortion
Subject:
Physicians
Subject:
Orphanages
Subject:
Physicians -- Maine -- Fiction.
Subject:
Orphanages -- Fiction.
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Copyright:
1997
Edition Description:
Trade paper
Series Volume:
312
Publication Date:
19970631
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Yes
Pages:
640
Dimensions:
8.27x5.58x1.29 in. 1.13 lbs.
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Related Subjects

Fiction and Poetry » Literature » A to Z
Fiction and Poetry » Science Fiction and Fantasy » Featured Titles

The Cider House Rules Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$2.50 In Stock
Product details 640 pages Ballantine Books - English 9780345417947 Reviews:
"Review" by , "Superb in scope and originality, a novel as good as one could hope to find from any author, anywhere, anytime. Engrossing, moving, thoroughly satisfying."
"Review" by , "Witty, tenderhearted, fervent, and scarifying....This novel is an example, now rare, of the courage of imaginative ardor."
"Review" by , "John Irving's sixth and best novel....He is among the very best storytellers at work today. At the base of Irving's own moral concerns is a rare and lasting regard for human kindness."
"Review" by , "An old-fashioned, big-hearted novel...with its epic yearnings caught in the 19th century, somewhere between Trollope and Twain....The rich detail makes for vintage Irving...straightforward and tender."
"Review" by , "Irving is in top form in this capacious novel of personal discovery....Deft realism in both scene and characterization...The Cider House Rules is a mature, entertaining novel."
"Review" by , "A moving, sometimes hilarious, and unfailingly entertaining story."
"Review" by , "John Irving is the most relentlessly inventive writer around...A truly astounding amount of artistry and ingenuity....Entertaining and affecting."
"Synopsis" by , Raised from birth in the orphanage at St. Cloud's, Maine, Homer Wells has become the protege of Dr. Wilbur Larch, its physician and director. There Dr. Larch cares for the troubled mothers who seek his help, either by delivering and taking in their unwanted babies or by performing illegal abortions. Meticulously trained by Dr. Larch, Homer assists in the former, but draws the line at the latter. Then a young man brings his beautiful fiancee to Dr. Larch for an abortion, and everything about the couple beckons Homer to the wide world outside the orphanage...
"Synopsis" by , 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.
"Synopsis" by , First published in 1985, The Cider House Rules is set in rural Maine in the first half of the twentieth century. The novel tells the story of Dr. Wilbur Larch-saint and obstetrician, founder and director of the orphanage in the town of St. Clouds, ether addict and abortionist. This is also the story of Dr. Larchs favorite orphan, Homer Wells, who is never adopted.
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