A review by rockettemorton
The Cider House Rules by John Irving

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? Yes

4.75

A masterpiece. Ain't no two way about it. Irving's cashmere-smooth prose makes this slow-burner of a narrative light sea-breeze. It's not particularly poetic or anything. Just thoroughly pleasant to experience the work of such a maestro. The characters feel, frankly, more real – more realistic – than people I know from real life. Not in the predictable sort of way. No, Irving simply accounts for everything and never leaves anything out of consideration. Furthermore, despite handling several very grim themes, he neither glosses over them, discarding their importance, nor does he focus on them to the point where it takes over the story. He acknowledges that shitty things exist in the world and that people react differently to them. This is despite how creative and lovely the characters – and the world they inhabit – are.
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