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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
What an incredible story. The language of this book kept me enthralled and so many images are burned permanantly into my brain from this story. I haven't read anything in years that actually had me stopping to picture the scene and those pictures stay with me still. The Santa Anas rushing through the California Hills, a white kimono under a full moon, the smell of bouganvillea blooming. This book is ready to release anytime. This is one I will be buying a copy of to keep permanantly.
challenging
dark
This is now actually one of my favorite books I've ever read
adventurous
dark
reflective
dark
emotional
medium-paced
White Oleander is a beautifully written novel about a girl's teenaged years moving from one foster home to another while her poet mother spends time in prison for murder. The tragedies abound and the resilience astounds.
The lack of attachment to her primary caregiver in Astrid's earliest years leaves her yearning for attachment anywhere she can get it. A foster mother's sleazy boyfriend. Another foster mother looking to fill her own emptiness with a child. Foster sisters along the way who are also yearning for connection and love. Astrid spends six years in foster care in as many homes all across Los Angeles, learning life's many lessons in the hardest ways.
The novel matures right along with its main character. Symbolism proliferates. It's an unfortunate but eye-opening glimpse into the psyche of a child who is continually abandoned, used, and abused. While the foster care system is deeply flawed, it desperately needs good people to take in the most vulnerable of kids, to forge healthy attachments to counteract the many layers of trauma they face.
Heartbreaking page-turner, worth a read, but it's not an easy one, and is at times quite graphic. Not for the faint of heart.
The lack of attachment to her primary caregiver in Astrid's earliest years leaves her yearning for attachment anywhere she can get it. A foster mother's sleazy boyfriend. Another foster mother looking to fill her own emptiness with a child. Foster sisters along the way who are also yearning for connection and love. Astrid spends six years in foster care in as many homes all across Los Angeles, learning life's many lessons in the hardest ways.
The novel matures right along with its main character. Symbolism proliferates. It's an unfortunate but eye-opening glimpse into the psyche of a child who is continually abandoned, used, and abused. While the foster care system is deeply flawed, it desperately needs good people to take in the most vulnerable of kids, to forge healthy attachments to counteract the many layers of trauma they face.
Heartbreaking page-turner, worth a read, but it's not an easy one, and is at times quite graphic. Not for the faint of heart.
Time changes me. Twenty-three years ago, I read White Oleander. I only gave it four stars. Imagine. But I was only thirty-four then. I hadn’t lived enough life to fully appreciate the power of this novel. For every event built on the previous until our protagonist knew herself to the utmost degree. Her mother too, to some extent. Some things in life suck us in with their beauty, only to poison us if we dare get too close. Astrid’s narcissistic mother capitalized on this. Astrid fought constantly against it. The conclusion was so stark and cold and beautiful. Astrid chose to protect herself and make her own way, even as she admitted the California oleander would be constantly calling her home.
dark
emotional
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know what to rate this book bc parts were quite well written but also judging by the way many parts were written i don't think i like the author as a person
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Classism
As good as the movie is, don't even bother because the book is 100x better. Couldn't put it down.
This is the story about Astrid. A deeply,dark,depressing but ultimately a beautifully written story. As I was reading about Astrids life I felt consumed as is I was experiencing what she was feeling. Thia stpry was intoxicating so much so that I couldnt put it down til I finishe however thia is one book you will either love or hate. I personally loved it