Cider House Rules, a few random thoughts...

Where to begin?!

OK, so I know most people didn't read this book this month. As always, that is fine-this book club has no truely required reading. However, I feel I should read all the books since I sort-of started this whole thing. Otherwise, to be honest, I never would have read this book-at least I would not have finished it. It is a very serious book-lots of bad and sad and controversial things happen and are discussed in this book. It is very Pro-choice, there are many dirty comments and words, and it is not the kind of book I generally read. But, I finished it last night. In fact I stayed up almost all night to finish it because I could not put it down-I had to know what happened to these characters.

This brings me to the biggest strength of this book in my opinion...the strong characters. Whether you like them or not, you are drawn into their lives and you want to know what will become of them. Seriously. I did not like a lot of the characters. In fact if I ran into them in my life as real people they would drive me nuts. Let's take Candy for example...Wally wasn't kidding when she called her manipulative. I don't care who you are, you cannot string along people forever and toy with emotions like that-how dumb to try to keep all her secrets! And Melony-OK, I know mom likes her, and in a way you are right, mom, her character is redemptive. I like that she went out and made something of herself and she was not angry at the end. I do not want to ruin her story here, but I will say, I cried. I did not like her character, but I did feel for her and I cried at the end.

Let's talk Homer and Dr Larch. Homer is an interesting character as well, and he makes sense only in the context of knowing how and by whom he was raised. "Right" Dr Larch has so many deep issues that he never resolves. He does however become more loving (kissing the boys goodnight) and more willing to let his emotions show near the end. I like his growth. I also must say that one of my favorite parts in the book is when Homer FINALLY says enough is enough with Candy! Yeah! Thank you for FINALLY being the hero (as Melony helped him to remember to do). In so many ways Candy and Wally saved Homer, but in so many ways they ruined him as well. And my heck-poor Angel. What a crazy way to live...with all the lies I mean. That must have been a shock when the truth came out.

Irving is a great writer. Really, that was the other thing that struck me as a huge positive. Most books I read, even the ones I like, I find that the writing is lacking. The books are good because the author had a good story idea. Good Plot, good character(s), but not necessarily written in the best way. The writing is OK at best in a lot of the more modern books I read (like Koontz books, or the Twilight series). This was GOOD, well researched, well edited, and overall well done.

Bravo Irving-now could you write me a comedy, or a less serious piece, please. That's more my cup of tea...