Reviews with content warning for Adult/minor relationship - Prodigal Summer

One of the reasons I docked .25 of a star is because I'm unsure of why this was a long book with stories told in pieces rather than three separate books in a trilogy or a novella collection. The format is a little confusing to me. Not to read, just in a way where I feel like if it had been all three in order, I would've enjoyed it more. However, having the plots dispensed in measured increments is nice. I feel I often gorge myself on books and tear through them. However, Kingsolver, by her formatting, forces you to read steadily and drink in every word she writes.

The second reason I docked .25 of a star was

because of Lusa's romantic subplot with Rickie. The incestuous/pedophilic nature coupled with its borderline irrelevancy to the rest of the plot put me out.

I must say this is absolutely one of my favorite books. Ms. Kingsolver's longer books are always such a treat to invest time in. This book took me a while to finish, but I'm so glad I stuck it out. Initially, I was put off by the slow pace, but it grows on you. It's more of a walk in the woods in terms of pace rather than a story with a definite finish line. I love how the town/woods and the animals are characters in themselves both literally and metaphorically.

I loved all three plot lines so much. I was initially put off by Garnett and his views and I was unsure of where his story was going, but I learned to love him too. I even learned about pestecides and crop management! From a fiction book! What?!

I also loved how she ended the book.

Leaving some ends frayed solidifies the feeling that you are peering through a window into other lives. When there are loose ends, it fleshes out the characters subtlely; it implies that they keep living beyond the duration of those pages which is very wonderful.

I could not recommend this book enough. I did not consider myself any kind of hardline environmentmentalist: I didn't know much and agriculture was not ever on my mind. This book opened up a world to me I'd never spend time in and it was wonderful. I loved it.

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sexpest's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

2.25

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though it took more than 100 pages to connect the three storylines running parallel to one another, which, personally, felt a little too late even to begin hinting. The writing style was one of my biggest pet peeves, specifically in the chapters centering on Garnett. Here, the author constantly reiterated through dialogue what was already discussed through description which felt repetitive and unnecessary. By around the 300-page mark, I began to skip chapters that focused on Garnett's point of view because it just did not seem exciting or plot-forwarding.
One topic that was disturbing to read as it was introduced and played with so nonchalantly was...

the implied romantic relationship between Lusa and her dead husband's 17-year-old nephew, Ricky. It was so so very strange when it was introduced, but I let it slide due to it being only a few weeks after Lusa's husband passed away and figured it would be used as a literary device that showed just how lost Lusa was and how much she saw Cole in everyone she came across. But as the book continued and the two got closer, there was more and more talk of how Lusa noticed this boy's romantic, nay, sexual interest in her and how she seemed to enjoy it but only in theory. She'd never act on it, but she wasn't stopping it which was so yucky. Let me reiterate that she's in her mid-20s and her literal nephew is 17. At one point Ricky kisses her, and though she says that it's too much and not appropriate, she still keeps him around and personally, underreacts. And then, towards the end of the book, Ricky admits that he would like to take her to bed. She then admits out loud that she wouldn't be opposed! Like...huh? In what world is that appropriate? And to make matters worse she then invites him to take her dancing, which they both had said people (aka Ricky's parents...Lusa's in-laws) associate dancing very heavily to sexual intercourse. It feels very manipulative and predatory! She also asks him to manage her farm after which again feels like abusing her power knowing full well this boy has a very inappropriate and strong crush on her without her ever fully acknowledging how it 100% absolutely cannot and will not happen. Weird!

The only storyline that captivated me throughout the whole book was the chapters about Deanna. She was a very loveable character and I enjoyed her overall progression and growth.
I would only recommend this book if you enjoy slow books and are willing to overlook some questionable beliefs/behaviors of the characters. It was published in 2000 after all. :)

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zarlynsnook's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative lighthearted slow-paced

5.0

this book is like a lullaby you wouldn't want to end. light, cozy, and sometimes, funny. the three interconnected stories in the book depicts how, as creature in the universe, are all connected and binded to each other. i learned a lot about nature while reading this and had so much fun feeling and experiencing all of the characters.

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persephoney's review against another edition

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why was Lusa fantasizing about her nephew 👎🏻

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alyssathorn's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

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carli_indicating's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

The book had an overall unfinished feeling to me with a rough start and abrupt finish. I don't typically demand resolution, but I was reading this on Kindle and I was looking for the next chapter after the end. That's after I almost didn't get past he opening chapter, because I found it overwrought, even for Kingsolver. I kept on because the book was recommended by someone I'm in a reading group with, and after that I was truly enjoying the characters. I was sad it was over. So it's worth reading for the experience, but not for those who like things tidy.

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