Setting

Set primarily in rural Maine, The Cider House Rules spans several decades of the 20th century, beginning in the pre-World War II era and extending into the post-war period. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a changing America, with the social and cultural shifts of the mid-1900s serving as a subtle undercurrent to the characters' personal journeys.

The novel's central location is St. Cloud's Orphanage, a remote institution nestled in the Maine countryside. This isolated setting plays a crucial role in shaping the protagonist's early life and worldview. As the story progresses, the focus shifts to Ocean View Orchards in Heart's Rock, a coastal Maine town. This orchard becomes a pivotal setting for much of the story's later events, symbolizing both opportunity and confinement for the characters.

Irving's vivid descriptions bring to life the stark contrast between the clinical atmosphere of the orphanage and the natural beauty of the Maine coast. The author's attention to detail in portraying these settings—from the sterile hallways of St. Cloud's to the apple-laden trees of Ocean View Orchards—creates a rich, immersive backdrop that enhances the characters' experiences and the novel's themes of choice, responsibility, and belonging.

Characters

• Homer Wells: The protagonist. Raised in an orphanage in Maine, Homer becomes like a son to Dr. Larch and also his protégé, learning obstetrics and gynecology. He struggles with moral dilemmas surrounding abortion and eventually leaves the orphanage to experience the outside world. Homer's journey of self-discovery and his eventual return to St. Cloud's form the core of the novel.

• Dr. Wilbur Larch: The director of St. Cloud's orphanage and Homer's mentor. Dr. Larch is an obstetrician who also performs illegal abortions. He is deeply committed to his work and develops a strong paternal bond with Homer. Dr. Larch's past traumas and his dedication to helping women shape his complex character.

• Candy Kendall: A young woman who comes to St. Cloud's for an abortion and later becomes Homer's love interest. Candy's relationship with Homer spans many years, complicated by her marriage to Wally and the secret of their son's parentage.

• Wally Worthington: Candy's fiancé, who becomes Homer's best friend. Wally goes off to war and returns paralyzed, adding complexity to the relationships between the main characters.

• Melony: An orphan who grows up with Homer at St. Cloud's. She is Homer's first girlfriend and later becomes an electrician. Melony's search for Homer and her own path in life form a significant subplot.

• Angel: Homer and Candy's son, raised believing he was adopted. His relationship with Rose becomes a catalyst for Homer's return to St. Cloud's.

• Rose Rose: The daughter of the head migrant worker at Ocean View Orchards. Her pregnancy, through incest, and subsequent abortion play a crucial role in Homer's character development.

• Mr. Rose: Rose's father and the head of the migrant workers. His actions and the “cider house rules” he creates represent themes of authority and morality in the novel.

• Lorna: Melony's female partner. She supports Melony in her journey and search for Homer.

Quick facts

• The Cider House Rules took John Irving more than seven years to write.

• It was Irving's sixth novel and helped cement his reputation as a major American author.

• The story is partially inspired by Irving's own experience of never knowing his biological father, who was shot down over Burma in WWII.

• Irving did extensive research on orphanages and obstetrics to accurately portray those aspects of the story.

• The novel, published in 1985, deals with the controversies surrounding abortion.

• The Cider House Rules was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film in 1999, with Irving writing the screenplay. Directed by Lasse Hallström, the movie stars Tobey Maguire as Homer Wells. 

• The title refers to a list of rules posted in the cider house that the illiterate migrant workers are unable to read.

• Irving based the character of Dr. Larch on real-life obstetrician, Dr. Frederick Taussig.

• The book is considered a modern example of the bildungsroman genre, chronicling the protagonist's coming-of-age.

• Stephen King praised The Cider House Rules, calling it “in every way, a masterpiece."

About the Author

John Irving, born in 1942 in Exeter, New Hampshire, is a renowned American-Canadian novelist and screenwriter. He achieved widespread recognition with his fourth novel, The World According to Garp, published in 1978. Irving's works often explore themes of family, sexuality, and loss, set against the backdrop of New England.

Throughout his career, Irving has written numerous bestselling novels, including The Hotel New Hampshire, The Cider House Rules, and A Prayer for Owen Meany. His unique storytelling style, often featuring quirky characters and intricate plots, has earned him critical acclaim and a devoted readership. Irving's novels frequently draw from his personal experiences, including his background in wrestling and his struggles with dyslexia.

In addition to his literary achievements, Irving won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Cider House Rules in 2000. Several of his other works have been adapted into films, showcasing the enduring appeal of his storytelling across different mediums.

Irving's impact on literature extends beyond his novels. He has been recognized with numerous awards, including a National Book Award and induction into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. As an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, he received a Lambda Literary Award for his novel In One Person. Irving continues to write and publish, with his most recent novel, The Last Chairlift, released in 2022.