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vagrantheather's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A story that spans 3 generations in rural Maine. A story of terrible things told with an edge of hilarious absurdity. A treatise on the necessity of abortion access, no matter your thoughts of personhood or souls. Irving manages to take some very dark themes and topics and weave them into a compelling story that doesn't feel at all preachy. I laughed out loud an embarrassing number of times. I will absolutely be reading further Irving, and would recommend him for anyone who's fond of Vonnegut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Abortion, and Addiction
Moderate: Drug abuse, Pregnancy, Racism, and War
Minor: Incest, Infertility, and Infidelity
vistacanas's review
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Those who plead for the lives of the unborn should consider the lives of the living.
I remember loving the Cider House Rules movie, but don't remember it being like what I just read. Let's just say this book is not for the Karens of the world. 😄 Abortion, prostitution, bestiality, incest, domestic violence...this book will offend and/or trigger pretty much anyone whose mind isn't pretty wide open.
Fortunately, mine is so I truly enjoyed it. John Irving is an amazing WRITER (as opposed to just an author). He pulls you in and takes you on quite the wild ride.
His character development is top tier. Every one of the characters comes to life—I could see, hear and feel them with little effort. Being that the story is primarily character driven, I especially appreciated this aspect of his writing.
Having read this on my Kindle, I didn't realize how long it was until I started it. If you're not a speed reader, it will take you some time to read at 963 pages. I fought it a bit at first, but then settled into to a place where I savored it.
Looking forward to watching the (award winning) movie again...now I'm intrigued as to how they handled all of the super edgy content.
I remember loving the Cider House Rules movie, but don't remember it being like what I just read. Let's just say this book is not for the Karens of the world. 😄 Abortion, prostitution, bestiality, incest, domestic violence...this book will offend and/or trigger pretty much anyone whose mind isn't pretty wide open.
Fortunately, mine is so I truly enjoyed it. John Irving is an amazing WRITER (as opposed to just an author). He pulls you in and takes you on quite the wild ride.
His character development is top tier. Every one of the characters comes to life—I could see, hear and feel them with little effort. Being that the story is primarily character driven, I especially appreciated this aspect of his writing.
Having read this on my Kindle, I didn't realize how long it was until I started it. If you're not a speed reader, it will take you some time to read at 963 pages. I fought it a bit at first, but then settled into to a place where I savored it.
Looking forward to watching the (award winning) movie again...now I'm intrigued as to how they handled all of the super edgy content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Abandonment, Abortion, Addiction, Drug abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Medical content, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, and Racism
Minor: Rape
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