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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the movie and to no surprise i loved this book as well, Astrid is a character i hold close because she has experienced many of the same things i have as a former child in the system. Her emotions towards her mother and her time in foster care are so raw, real and complex which i don’t see a lot of. Every woman she encountered in the story played a large role in shaping who she became towards the end of the book— i loved that we were able to see her go from a young, confused girl with no control to a young woman who is sure of herself.
Breathtaking language. There really isn't much to say that other people haven't already said.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The whole book read like a poem. I found myself rereading several passages just to admire the sheer beauty of the language. The writing is brilliant, and the character development was enthralling. The bits of detail about each character brings the story to life and makes it seem so much more realistic. A truly diverse and eclectic cast.
I found myself tearing up at certain times, most especially when Astrid triumphed. As a young teen going through the Los Angeles foster care system, Astrid soon learns that it does not help to be attached to any one person, but she can't help herself from making those close bonds. She sees her foster parents and the other people she meets for who they truly are, and finds it hard to forget what each one meant to her, even if their intentions were not necessarily pure.
The themes explored are so complex and intricately woven into the story that at times, that Fitch reminds you as you read in such a way that makes you recognize her brilliance. The most interesting theme to me was that "we are living in a man's world." Astrid views so many ways that women are beaten down by men, willingly or unwillingly. Women easily fall in love, while the men aren't always as attached. In the end, the woman is changed forever but the man can walk away from the relationship and return to business as usual.
Her mother, Ingrid, is such a spiteful person, but Astrid describes her in a way that you are mesmerized by her. You anticipate everything that she may say or do with a curious urgency. Fitch does a wonderful job writing in a way that the reader not only understands the way Astrid feels towards the other characters, but feels them as well. I got to understand all these characters through Astrid's perspective. A prostitute becomes an elegant, noble, and independent woman; an old war veteran with a sexual interest in young Astrid becomes a wonderful, perfect, and understanding lover; a woman who seems to have everything and has the capacity to be a perfect mother becomes a woman splitting at the seems, as if she will self-detonate at any time. Rarely I find myself sympathizing with a fictional character this much.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who can appreciate the art of literature. I found it hard to put down and I believe I will be suggesting this one to my literature-loving friends. And it's also on Oprah's Book Club list, so it can't be bad at all.
Will be watching the movie soon. I know that it won't be nearly as beautiful and poetic as this book was
I found myself tearing up at certain times, most especially when Astrid triumphed. As a young teen going through the Los Angeles foster care system, Astrid soon learns that it does not help to be attached to any one person, but she can't help herself from making those close bonds. She sees her foster parents and the other people she meets for who they truly are, and finds it hard to forget what each one meant to her, even if their intentions were not necessarily pure.
The themes explored are so complex and intricately woven into the story that at times, that Fitch reminds you as you read in such a way that makes you recognize her brilliance. The most interesting theme to me was that "we are living in a man's world." Astrid views so many ways that women are beaten down by men, willingly or unwillingly. Women easily fall in love, while the men aren't always as attached. In the end, the woman is changed forever but the man can walk away from the relationship and return to business as usual.
Her mother, Ingrid, is such a spiteful person, but Astrid describes her in a way that you are mesmerized by her. You anticipate everything that she may say or do with a curious urgency. Fitch does a wonderful job writing in a way that the reader not only understands the way Astrid feels towards the other characters, but feels them as well. I got to understand all these characters through Astrid's perspective. A prostitute becomes an elegant, noble, and independent woman; an old war veteran with a sexual interest in young Astrid becomes a wonderful, perfect, and understanding lover; a woman who seems to have everything and has the capacity to be a perfect mother becomes a woman splitting at the seems, as if she will self-detonate at any time. Rarely I find myself sympathizing with a fictional character this much.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who can appreciate the art of literature. I found it hard to put down and I believe I will be suggesting this one to my literature-loving friends. And it's also on Oprah's Book Club list, so it can't be bad at all.
Will be watching the movie soon. I know that it won't be nearly as beautiful and poetic as this book was
It felt like I spent YEARS reading this lmao. I’m so tired!
dark
emotional
i first read White Oleander in high school and i’ve read it again at least three times, to me this book is perfection. (i’ve never seen the movie because i’m scared to ruin it, eek)