The Cider House Rules

About this book

In the hospital of the orphanage the boys division at St Clouds Maine two nurses were in charge of naming the new babies and checking that their little penises were healing from the obligatory circumcision. First published in 1985 The Cider House Rules is John Irvings sixth novel. Set in rural Maine in the first half of this century it tells the story of Dr. Wilbur Larchsaint and obstetrician founder and director of the orphanage in the town of St. Clouds ether addict and abortionist. It is also the story of Dr. Larchs favorite orphan Homer Wells who is never adopted.