Reviews - Beli oleander | The StoryGraph

2.28k reviews for:

This book was very well written, but was incredibly sad. White Oleander follows a young girl as show moves from foster home to foster home, and deals with the fact that her mother is in jail for life. I had to put it down a couple of times just to regain composure before reading again. I can't say I enjoyed reading it, but I think it was definitely a worthwhile read.

drwozniak's review against another edition

3.75

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

So close to four stars. My big complaint is the language as it relates to the character. The language is beautiful. Poetic. But no 12 year old or even 17 year old thinks like this. Even the “old souls” and pretentious rich kids don’t have this level of introspection, that’s why they’re children. It could have worked if it was being told from the perspective of an older Astrid looking back on her life. It just kept pulling me out of the story. The end also dragged just a wee bit but it was worth it.

Fuck her mom though. What a cunt. I almost felt sorry for her at the very end (and I do love how that relationship was developed). Loved the little worlds that were created with each family. Claire was my favorite (again I hate Astrid’s mom so much) but I grew to love all the women who were kind to Astrid as she grew up. Really great exploration of complicated relationships. Glad I read.

hisdarkmaterials's review against another edition

4.0

Rich, layered. Really enjoyed this. Quick enough read, the words flow like silk off the page. Sort of in love with Astrid. Found the dog attack beyond ridiculous but then isn't reality just that at times, and this is fiction.

apageinthestacks's review against another edition

5.0

This was a tough and depressing read, but amazing. And I really enjoyed Oprah's reading of it.

Half way through Finch's latest book, The Revolution of Marina M. and I have to say, she's quickly becoming a favorite author of mine.

maddiebisek's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

amanda_ou812's review against another edition

3.0

The language is good but she points out metaphors so often it's annoying.

pkrawr's review against another edition

5.0

Poetic prose tells a story both tragic and uplifting. The story of Astrid and her brilliant but vicious mother reveals the darker side of creative genius.