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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I have had this book for well over ten years and every time I tried to pick it up, I put it back down. It has been a book that I have longed to read but it never felt like the right time. I am so grateful that I waited. If I had read White Oleander at any time prior to this year, I don't think I would have understood it as deeply as I do now as a 26 year old woman. I believe everyone could read, enjoy, and carry this book in their heart, but I think it is especially important for every woman to experience Astrid's story.
White Oleander follows the journey of Astrid before, during, and after her Mother Ingrid is sent to prison for committing murder. Being only 12 years old at the time of her mother's incarceration, Astrid is sent into the foster care system.
This is a story that takes place over several years and in many different settings. We also meet a plethora of characters, each coming from polar opposite worlds and experiences. There are so many aspects to this book and I really don't know where to begin with my thoughts. That's how you know it's a favorite of mine. I loved this book. From the very first page, I knew this was going to be a forever favorite.
Not only is this a difficult coming of age story centered on surviving trauma, but it is also about how each and every person we encounter in life, whether a positive or negative influence, leaves a mark on us. We are covered in the bruises and scars from all the hands that have ever touched us. This is a story of finding mothers in strangers, and sometimes, even in ourselves.
White Oleander is pain, hope, love, friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness all combined to create a mesmerizing and heartbreaking tale of survival. This entire book reads like one long poem and there were so many tabs and annotations by the end. If I could rate this more than 5 stars, I would. This comes extremely, passionately, and highly recommended by me! Please keep in mind that White Oleander contains many triggering topics, such as abuse, pedophilia, grooming, substance abuse, etc. so be prepared beforehand if you'd like to read this one!
White Oleander follows the journey of Astrid before, during, and after her Mother Ingrid is sent to prison for committing murder. Being only 12 years old at the time of her mother's incarceration, Astrid is sent into the foster care system.
This is a story that takes place over several years and in many different settings. We also meet a plethora of characters, each coming from polar opposite worlds and experiences. There are so many aspects to this book and I really don't know where to begin with my thoughts. That's how you know it's a favorite of mine. I loved this book. From the very first page, I knew this was going to be a forever favorite.
Not only is this a difficult coming of age story centered on surviving trauma, but it is also about how each and every person we encounter in life, whether a positive or negative influence, leaves a mark on us. We are covered in the bruises and scars from all the hands that have ever touched us. This is a story of finding mothers in strangers, and sometimes, even in ourselves.
White Oleander is pain, hope, love, friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness all combined to create a mesmerizing and heartbreaking tale of survival. This entire book reads like one long poem and there were so many tabs and annotations by the end. If I could rate this more than 5 stars, I would. This comes extremely, passionately, and highly recommended by me! Please keep in mind that White Oleander contains many triggering topics, such as abuse, pedophilia, grooming, substance abuse, etc. so be prepared beforehand if you'd like to read this one!
An interesting read. Deeply, emotionally moving. I know there are many bad reviews here, but I want to add this to the mix: it's nuts, it's crazy, it's tragedy. Astrid is a messed-up kid in a messed-up world, her mother's a murderer and she's being thrown to the wolves. But- it does read like poetry. Tangles of smoke, twisting and curling in my eyes. Moths to a flame? Read it. Be angry, like Astrid.
I didn’t realize that this was an abridged version but I’m almost glad it is. Not that this was a bad book but it was a little disappointing. By the end of the book there wasn’t much character growth of Astrid. In fact it almost seemed like she spiraled down. She became more cynical and jaded. That could also be because of the environments she ended growing up in. Oprah did a good job narrating. Not sure if I’ll go back and read the actual book but there’s a possibility.
dark, disturbing, an experience
unfortunately found out i was bamboozled & the audiobook i listened to was a cut version so I will definitely be re-reading this in the future
unfortunately found out i was bamboozled & the audiobook i listened to was a cut version so I will definitely be re-reading this in the future
I wished I had liked this book but didn't. I've heard so many great things about this book so I wanted to check it out. It definitely fell short for me. The main character deals with a narcissistic mother which I had definitely despised and I felt that connection with what Astrid because my mother is very narcissistic. I didn't like that Astrid was romantically involved with someone who was clearly over the age of 18, she being just a teen. It's one of those books that is hit or miss and it was big miss for me.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
the kind of book i’d want to write, a newfound favorite!
i see elements that likely inspired Lisa Taddeo’s Animal, another favorite of mine
books that are poetic and gritty all at once prove epic, and this is one of them!
i see elements that likely inspired Lisa Taddeo’s Animal, another favorite of mine
books that are poetic and gritty all at once prove epic, and this is one of them!
4/5 for the audiobook 5/5 for the book itself !!
I think I read this in like, 2016 ??? I'm gonna give it 3 stars for now, because I remember liking it, but I don't remember how much.