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A review by katykelly
The Cider House Rules by John Irving
4.0
One of those listed 'must read' titles. Glad I did, but it was a long'un.
This felt overlong, the story was more slight than the running length, but as I was listening to this as a new audiobook version, I didn't mind as it helped pass long drives and walks. The narrator managed the voices of several very old and young character, male and female, well, without their own gender and age intruding on the listener.
With two main characters, the first part mainly gives us the life of Dr Wilbur Larch, abortionist, while the rest is more on his protege and surrogate son, Homer Wells (almost always referred to by his full name).
Over two generations, Larch and Wells both live and work at an orphanage. Women unable to care for their children leave them there, or beg for abortions (illegal operations at the time). Homer Wells is one such child, and grows up bounced around at less-than-happy foster homes, meaning he is raised with Larch and under his medical supervision. Later leaving the small world of his childhood, his journey brings him full circle back to his childhood ‘home’.
Some memorable characters, the time and place is quite strongly portrayed and easy to picture, there's a lot of poverty, hardship and pain. But there's also a good dose of love. Strong themes, which may upset, but I thought they were handled realistically.
Glad I’ve read it, but I’m also glad it was an audiobook that I could follow while doing other things. Ponderous in places.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy of this new edition.
This felt overlong, the story was more slight than the running length, but as I was listening to this as a new audiobook version, I didn't mind as it helped pass long drives and walks. The narrator managed the voices of several very old and young character, male and female, well, without their own gender and age intruding on the listener.
With two main characters, the first part mainly gives us the life of Dr Wilbur Larch, abortionist, while the rest is more on his protege and surrogate son, Homer Wells (almost always referred to by his full name).
Over two generations, Larch and Wells both live and work at an orphanage. Women unable to care for their children leave them there, or beg for abortions (illegal operations at the time). Homer Wells is one such child, and grows up bounced around at less-than-happy foster homes, meaning he is raised with Larch and under his medical supervision. Later leaving the small world of his childhood, his journey brings him full circle back to his childhood ‘home’.
Some memorable characters, the time and place is quite strongly portrayed and easy to picture, there's a lot of poverty, hardship and pain. But there's also a good dose of love. Strong themes, which may upset, but I thought they were handled realistically.
Glad I’ve read it, but I’m also glad it was an audiobook that I could follow while doing other things. Ponderous in places.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy of this new edition.