I chose to read this book because I loved Irving's other novel (also made into a movie; Simon Birch) called A Prayer for Owen Meany. While this one didn't tug at my heart strings quite the same it was definitely another masterpiece. Irving covers a number of interesting and powerful topics including abortion, duty, guilt, honor, race, and of course love. The main character, Homer, is impossible not to love, though he made his own mistakes throughout. I think what I loved most about this novel was the clash between following "your duty" and doing what you want, and ultimately which choice is right. I felt such an empathy for the characters because so many of the decisions we make in life are not an easy black or white choice. I would definitely recommend the book to anyone looking for a novel that covers life in a realistic and honest way, with real dynamic characters. There are no "good" or "bad guys" or "right" and "wrong" decisions, there is just the dynamic complexity that is life.
26.11.12
Current Read
Last week I finally finished John Irving's novel Cider House Rules. It was actually made into a movie in the 90's that was nominated for 7 academy awards and one for best adapted screen play. Here's a trailer for the movie:
I chose to read this book because I loved Irving's other novel (also made into a movie; Simon Birch) called A Prayer for Owen Meany. While this one didn't tug at my heart strings quite the same it was definitely another masterpiece. Irving covers a number of interesting and powerful topics including abortion, duty, guilt, honor, race, and of course love. The main character, Homer, is impossible not to love, though he made his own mistakes throughout. I think what I loved most about this novel was the clash between following "your duty" and doing what you want, and ultimately which choice is right. I felt such an empathy for the characters because so many of the decisions we make in life are not an easy black or white choice. I would definitely recommend the book to anyone looking for a novel that covers life in a realistic and honest way, with real dynamic characters. There are no "good" or "bad guys" or "right" and "wrong" decisions, there is just the dynamic complexity that is life.
I chose to read this book because I loved Irving's other novel (also made into a movie; Simon Birch) called A Prayer for Owen Meany. While this one didn't tug at my heart strings quite the same it was definitely another masterpiece. Irving covers a number of interesting and powerful topics including abortion, duty, guilt, honor, race, and of course love. The main character, Homer, is impossible not to love, though he made his own mistakes throughout. I think what I loved most about this novel was the clash between following "your duty" and doing what you want, and ultimately which choice is right. I felt such an empathy for the characters because so many of the decisions we make in life are not an easy black or white choice. I would definitely recommend the book to anyone looking for a novel that covers life in a realistic and honest way, with real dynamic characters. There are no "good" or "bad guys" or "right" and "wrong" decisions, there is just the dynamic complexity that is life.
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'A Prayer for Owen Meany' is one of my all-time favorite books! 'The World According to Garp' is, like 'The Cider House Rules,' not quite as wonderful as Owen, but it's still worth reading if you haven't already (and it's also a movie).
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