Julia

I've never seen the movie, so I was approaching this book with a clean slate. Now I can't wait to rent it, because I'm dying to see whether the film brings this story to life in a way that matches the world that was created in my head.

Cider House Rules is somewhat of a commitment... you're tracing Doctor Larch and Homer Wells from their most formative years throughout their lives...and it's worth every minute. The subject matter (abortion, orphans, Alzheimer's) is pretty heavy, but you emerge from the experience feeling that you've grappled with some of the elephants you needed to tackle anyway. I'm not saying that listening to this audiobook will tell you whether or not you believe Roe v. Wade should be overturned...just that it's great to be enveloped in a story that touches on the undercurrents running through our shared experiences. In addition, great, believable characters and a narrator perfectly suited to the material.