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mattyvreads's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
What I so appreciate about this book is that each character is so layered and nuanced and complex. Characters that you love have some unavoidable fault. Characters that you hate aren’t written as cartoon villains; the audience even grows fond of some characters before we learn the depth of their cruelty.
I love the way that Irving tells a story. There is an interconnectedness between the characters he creates, even if those characters don’t know each other. Every detail feels so intentional, even something as small as a crushed mosquito on the wall. Everything is important.
Irving is so cool because writes from a pro-choice, anti-war, sexually liberated (and at least a little queer) perspective. He tackles issues of classism and racism, misogyny and abuse. He is enlightened. It is no wonder that this is such a commonly banned book. Conservatives wouldn’t be able to handle the inarguable points he makes in support of safe health care, including safe abortions for anyone that wants or needs one.
There is some dated language in the book, which makes contextual sense given the time period. There’s a little bit of casual fatphobia, but that might be expected in a novel from 1985. Still, Irving seems to land on the “correct side of history” in discussion of socioeconomic and political arguments.
Graphic: Addiction, Incest, Dementia, Abortion, and War
Moderate: Child death, Rape, and Sexual violence
adrionmacaron's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Blood, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Incest, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
rockettemorton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Medical content, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child death, Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, and Alcohol
jedore's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Abortion, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, and Racism
Minor: Rape