Reviews with content warning for Racism - The Cider House Rules

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

m1923's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

granasys's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark reflective slow-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

4.25

This book could be talked about for hours, as it portrays both nuanced characters and societal issues, while having a unique atmosphere.

What got to me is the Irving's way of showing close-up examinations at times and drifting away for other, seemingly without regard to the importance of the event. The love triangle was one of the saddest and most realistically portrayed I ever encountered and throughout the story I was naviely hoping that given the author's approach to other issues, it would be solved through polyamory. Was grateful that the queer storyline wasn't the sad one for once.

The themes it tackles, especially abortion rights makes it painfull relevant as ever. It also touches on racial issues with care.

The story itself only got faster in the last 200 pages, it's not very surprising that I read the first 500 or so in almost 2 months and than the last part in an evening and the morning afterwards. And the way it was tied together made it worth it for sure.

Content Warnings

smrod's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Content Warnings

adrionmacaron's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Content Warnings

balgor's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.5

Content Warnings

library_dreamer's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Content Warnings

vistacanas's review

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

More...