Reviews

The Beans of Egypt, Maine: The Finished Version by Carolyn Chute

thecatcherinthelye's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

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

2.0

ocurtsinger's review against another edition

3.0

ONE OF the most beautiful passages I have ever read in literature: "She gives the paper with the vegetables a heave over the side of the bridge, and it flaps down like a white dove shot in midflight--with an explosion of onions and tomatoes and so forth."

Also makes me hungry for a Maine-made Italian sub.

madie_macaulay's review against another edition

4.0

Honestly I read this book for a class. I thought it was rather interesting since I grew up in another state and really got to see what parts of Maine look like. I feel like there can be many opinions to this book, and mine are pretty divided between liking the book and not liking characters, or getting lost in the book because of the time jumps. Honestly just try the book and see if its for you.

dayseraph's review against another edition

3.0

It's hard to put it better than Earlene does herself: "I don't understand, you guys. I don't understand none of this."

alicemorrison1029's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Incest

lilactoadstools's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

jingham's review against another edition

challenging dark sad slow-paced

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

3.75

sacredblues's review against another edition

2.0

One good thing that I have to say is that it’s provocative; love it or hate it, I’m willing to bet there’s no in-between and you *will* have a concrete opinion about it. This is a novel that plays with voice and features a host of POVs. Chances are, the form isn’t what’s going to drive discussion surrounding this book; it's the content. Incest, sex, abject poverty, and questionable morals are abound in this book. Those weak of heart should take caution. I admired that the book bred discussion. To me, it raised big questions about the nature of our education, our government, and the bottom line. In light of the Beans’ destitution and their questionable character, the book seemed to challenge readers to have a more nuanced view of the Beans. Yes, one could hate them, but they could also realize that they’re possibly products of a system. I appreciated that judgement wasn’t passed on the Beans in the book, leading viewers to come to their own conclusions, uninfluenced by a particular agenda. The Beans of Egypt Maine certainly made for an uncomfortable read, but it was a very brisk and interesting read. I’d recommend the book for anyone looking for a bit of a challenge, reading characters and situations that might be out of their comfort zone and seeing what questions they raise….or I would if not for the afterword. I’m not exaggerating when I say that this small section which absolutely shatters my enjoyment of the novel and sullies everything that came before it. The author comes and completely invalidates my reading of the book. In her mind, the Beans aren’t at all unproblematic, if the readers have problems with the Beans, they’re the problem. She also raises points which are unfortunate, to say the least. All of my talk of systems and empathy were rendered moot: nope, there’s no greater meaning or question. The question of “Should one have empathy despite their flaws” is obliterated because apparently they don’t have flaws in the first place. The afterward leaves a sour taste in my mouth long after reading this. As a writer myself, I wouldn’t dare say authors should just shut up, but in an afterword like this, they risk robbing readers of their agency and making one reading absolute: their own. And in one reading, you risk alienating many readers. I don’t think the author is a bad person in any regard and I’m sorry this book brought her so much strife, but in light of the afterword, I just don’t find this book enjoyable.

tara_true's review against another edition

4.0

Rarely have I read a book finished it and said "what the f*** was that"

belabart71's review against another edition

4.0

Still trying to process what I just read— the edition i read was Carolyn Chute’s final copy after several published “drafts”… there is a post-script chapter by Chute which helps explain her reasons for writing some characters like she did…

Check back for my review (after I do more processing— this book was somewhat disturbing at times…)