I've finally finished The Cider House Rules by John Irving. It is a sweet coming-of-age story set in the first half of the 1900s in Maine. The characters and some of the situations are endearing but could also be so odd I would shake my head and go Huh? I don't know but perhaps this is typical Irving. Years ago I tried reading The World According to Garp but was so weirded-out that I had to shelve it again and move on to something else. I tried reading it a couple more times but just couldn't do it and ended up giving the book away. I couldn't understand all the hype, but oh well, maybe that's just me.
Anyway, I found a well worn paperback copy of Cider House Rules in a used book store and thought I would give Irving another try. Who knows, maybe there really was something there I was missing if I could just stick with it. So, yes, the book was engaging enough to keep reading and I did want to see the loose ends get tied up at the end but that pretty much wraps up my John Irving experience.
6 comments:
Have you read Owen Meany?
I loved that one!
I think Irving's books can be an acquired taste.
Hmm okay I'll keep an eye out for that one.
Acquired taste -heh- yes he sure is.
Sounds like I won't be picking up this one - could never get into The World According to Garp either. But I did like that film.
Thanks!
Ha yes I tried giving my copy away when I was done and had no takers either, funny. Oh well that's what donation boxes are for. It was already a very used copy that I picked up at a thrift store - so what comes around goes around I guess.
Coming in late to the game to second the suggestion of A Prayer for Owen Meany. That's the only Irving I've read so far, but I loved it- I loved the story, the way he writes (his vocabulary is absolutely to die for), the characters...It was a beautiful book. They made a movie from it that wasn't much like the book, half the stuff was changed. But the book really is lovely. :)
Never too late to weigh in! I'm always glad to have recommendations and input :) It's a great way to find good books I might otherwise pass up.
I've come across a fair number of copies of A Prayer for Owen Meany at the used bookstores I frequent so I think I may just pick one up next time I go . . . or check it out of the library. Either way, I'm intrigued enough to give John Irving another try.
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