The Cider House Rules

By: John Irving

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 24 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

From one of America's most beloved and respected writers comes the classic story of Homer Wells, an orphan, and Wilbur Larch, a doctor without children of his own, who develop an extraordinary bond with one another.

©1985 John Irving (P)1999 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Witty, tenderhearted, fervent, and scarifying." ( New York Times Book Review)

"Gardner understands and conveys the book's sly humor and comprehension of human foibles." ( Los Angeles Times)

"John Irving's best novel....He is among the very best storytellers." ( Philadelphia Inquirer)

Top notch all around

I just started reading and listening to John Irving. This guy is amazing. I loved so many things about this book. I love how human his characters; and their flaws make you love them the more. My daughter spent the first year of her life in an orphanage so I was super interested to read about institutional care, and Irving's portrayal of the mind of an orphan. Many characteristics resonated from my own experience. He has some unforgettable lines. This book is one of the best among the dozens I've listened to in the last two years.

Neo-Dickensian Novel Shows Its Age

Thirty years ago, when I was first becoming aware of the world of contemporary literature, John Irving was a name to reckon with. He seemed a kind of caboose to the John Updike/Philip Roth generation, and he had the further advantage of a noted lightness to his work. What’s more, he projected an appealing masculinity, reminding people he’d been a serious wrestler (I was an unserious, or at least unsuccessful one) and standing as someone who was shaping literature we should all be reading.

I pushed myself to read A Prayer for Owen Meany when it came out, and, while I remember admiring the prose and much of the structure, I was ultimately annoyed by its contrived quality. If little Owen could see the future in which he killed our protagonist’s mother, then why the hell couldn’t he alter it? It would have meant forgoing one swing of a baseball bat. To the extent I felt I was permitted, I decided I didn’t like it all that much.

I may have read The World According to Garp – I certainly watched the movie – but that was the effective end of my Irving expedition until now. I found an audio version of this on sale and figured it was time for another look. What was it, I wondered, that made Irving such a success back then?

The basic answer, I think, is that this guy really can write characters and stories. There’s something idyllic in the Maine setting of this, and there’s something appealing in the multi-generational span of the novel. We get a glimpse of Wilbur Larch that takes us back to the late 19th century, and then we follow Homer Wells to the start of a career that will take him – in his older age beyond the end of the novel – into just about the present tense.

There’s clearly something at stake in all this, too. It’s a century of men wrestling with the challenge of ensuring that women have access to safe abortions, but it isn’t a narrow claim of such right. We get to see various characters reflecting on the morality of the process, and we see some of the ethical challenges they experience. (It’s worth noting, of course, that these are mostly men who have to decide such questions. Most of the women are either in need of rescue or lovingly supporting these men.)

And, as well, this is a compelling love story. The triangle among Homer, Candy and Wally is memorable and emotional, and I enjoyed reading it. I even forgave it, at least some, for a contrivance that reminded me of Owen Meaney when, at the end, Dr. Larch proves to have anticipated his own betrayal and prepared a decade-plus scheme to allow Homer to move into his place. For the same effort, it seems, he could just as easily have extricated himself.

On the whole then, this reminded me of Dickens. It’s a coming-of-age novel, and it’s one that aspires to call our attention to some systemic injustice.

There’s still a lot to admire and enjoy in the way Irving takes us from a pastoral past into something that looks like our own yesterday, but as a bottom line I’m not sure it’s aged all that well. As I think about Irving’s reputation, I find myself comparing him to another neo-Dickensian – to Donna Tartt whose The Goldfinch struck me as a fabulous and memorable book, one without the clear shortcomings of this one. Speaking today, I’m convinced Tartt is clearly a better writer than Irving, and I intend that as a compliment in both directions. If I’m able still to be reading contemporary literature with care and comprehension thirty years from now, I wonder if things will look different in the face of new writers further pushing the boundaries of what we Americans read.

Good

I thought it was very good and interesting. Enjoyed listening to it. Enjoyed the twist at end of story, not MD to MD

Give me more Homer!

Would you listen to The Cider House Rules again? Why?

No. I don't often repeat books.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Grover Gardner?

Sure. He didn't really stand out but that is OK. I gave 3 stars only because I remember the story but not really the performance and I only finished listening last week.

If you could take any character from The Cider House Rules out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Homer. I loved him. So deep, yet so simple at the same time.

Outstanding

I saw this movie many years ago and while I loved it, the book is just so much better. An entire section of the book was not included in the movie. Although it is long, it held my interest throughout. I loved most all of the characters. Such a good story!

Epic

I’ve read Garp and Owen Meaney, both of which I have loved, and Cider House does not disappoint.

Loved it, as always

I've always enjoyed reading this book myself and wasn't sure if I would enjoy the Audible version. I really enjoyed listening to the story told by Grover Gardner- his voice and tone was perfect this book.

Cider House Rules

At first, I felt this book was dragging a bit, but the emotions flowed for all the characters at the end. I was smiling, guessing, crying, and relieved at the end.
I can't wait to watch the movie now.

Not like the movie

I downloaded the book and at times was very confused because the story bounced around a bit. But after going back and listening again I understood. The importance of bouncing around... this book is very graphic but also a very interesting story.. gives more light in to candy and Homer true relationship. If you loved the movie your absolutely love this book...

Deserving of all it's literary merit!

Deserving of any accolades, this book has the raw realism of Milan Kundera or Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The implications of some of the themes are as relevant today as ever. one of my favorite vocal renditions. I fell in love with the characters.