The Cider House Rules

by John Irving

Spring was the suicide season. In spring, the seeds for an orphanage were planted and overplanted.

An orphan is simply more of a child than other children in that essential appreciation of the things that happen daily, on schedule.

Every child understands a promise—if it is kept—and looks forward to the next promise.

Homer felt he was rushing from nest to nest, his voice feeding them as they always cried for more.

“Lobsters and sea gulls,” Candy said, “they take what’s left over.” Wilbur Larch might have observed that they were given the orphan’s share.

but there was also in her voice the ice that encases a long-ago and immovable point of view.

When you lie, you feel as if you have cheated fate—your own, and everybody else’s.”