The Cider House Rules (Black Swan)

Set in rural Maine in the first half of this century, it tells the story of Dr. Wilbur Larch--obstetrician and director of the orphanage in the town of St. Clouds. It is also the story of his favorite orphan, Homer, who is never adopted. First published in 1985, The Cider House Rules is John Irving's sixth novel. Set in rural Maine in the first half of this century, it tells the story of Homer Wells, an orphan who is raised and mentored by Wilbur Larch, the doctor at the orphanage. Dr. Larch teaches Homer everything about medicine. Yet though his capacity for kindness is saintly, Larch is also an ether addict. He and Homer come into conflict, which is typical of many father-son relationships, but in this case their conflict is intensified by their disagreement about abortion. The result is that Homer leaves the only family he has ever known. Homer's new life provides more excitement than he could have imagined, especially when he falls in love for the first time. But, when forced to make decisions that will change the course of his future, Homer realizes that he can't escape his past. The Cider House Rules is ultimately about the choices we make and the rules that are meant to be broken Set in rural Maine in the first half of this century, this is the story of Homer Wells, an orphan who is raised and mentored by Wiulbur Larch, the doctor at the orgphanage. Larch's capacity for kindnness is saintly, but he is also an ether addict. When he and Homer come into conflict, intensified by their disagreement about abortion, Homer leaves the only family he has ever known. Homer is forced to make decisions that will change the course of his future, after his new life provides excitement and love. But Homer finally realises that he can't escape his past. 'The Cider House Rules' is ultimately about the choices we make and the rules that are meant to be broken In the hospital of the orphanage-the boy's division at St. Cloud's, Maine-two nurses were in charge of naming the new babies and checking that their little penises were healing from the obligatory circumcision.