Reviews

Prodigal Summer: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver

tanzipanzi's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and that surprised me. I’m not one to enjoy literary novels, and I have to admit this took me a really long time to get through but I’m glad I persisted (I’m talking like 8 months of “reading” it, but when the timing is right it’s a book you don’t want to put down). If you let the words sit with you and can stay focused enough to be absorbed by the story, you’ll be rewarded with a descriptive and cleverly written interwoven accounts of three families living in Appalachia. The connection to nature and the metaphorical language is poetic and beautiful without being overly unattainable for the average person, and quite frankly, it’s hot. 

This was recommended to me by a friend who described it as the sexiest thing she’s ever read even though it’s only describing nature, and that was enough to pique my interest. I’d recommend reading it and letting yourself get full absorbed and transported to another life. 

fanninh's review against another edition

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2.0

This is a much hornier book than I expected, lol. Some elements were effective to me as a reader and some elements lost me.

lord4skin's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

feminist_mayhem's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

sjanke2's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kcrouth's review against another edition

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4.0

Prodigal Summer is a heartwarming tale of three families and how their stories weave together though life and death, love and resentment, giving and receiving, humans and nature - all taking place in a beautiful and bountiful summer in the mountains of Appalachia. I loved this story. And there are GOATS in the story, and blackberry pie! I am left wanting to read more of Kingsolver, reading The Bean Trees next!

happy1_'s review against another edition

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medium-paced

2.5

trizie81's review against another edition

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5.0

Wonderful language. After reading this book I like moths and coyotes. It has about 400 pages and a lot of information about wildlife and farming in the Appalachian mountains. I also wanted to grow my own food after reading this book

hannahfeathers's review against another edition

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informative reflective slow-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

3.0

lvosler21's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75