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biolexicon's review against another edition
5.0
The “Oprah’s Book Club” sticker on White Oleander’s cover makes this book very easy to “poo poo”. It’s cathartic. It’s a women’s novel. But devaluing the novel on these assumptions makes readers miss out on the novel’s exploration of the female psyche.
White Oleander is an involved novel. It details the complexities of the mother daughter experience, showing the power each one holds over the other. It is not a detached, omniscient narrator novel. Reading it like it is would be doing yourself a disservice.
For me, the plot culminated when Astrid was in the delivery room with Niki. She notices that women in labor cry out for their mothers, even if their mothers mistreated or abandoned them. This moment shows just how far the mother daughter relationship affects the female psyche.
I did notice some problems the ending. Astrid has now found her father and is in a relationship with a boy she had lost contact with. The plot jumped—it provided no logical connection as to how these things happened. The ending seems tacked on; the novel was complete after Niki admits that she needed Astrid. The natural ending is not happy, but it is contented. Then the plot goes on to impose this overly happy ending that seems out of place.
It needs to be noted that males aren’t favorably portrayed. This has caused some people, mostly males, to be upset. To this issue I would pose the question: What about Steinbeck’s portrayal of females? When he creates one-dimensional female characters, female readers are asked to look beyond the sexism in order to see what the novel has to offer (in terms of plot, themes, etc.). With White Oleander, I ask males to do the same.
This book is about the female psyche. The torture the author had to put Astrid through in order to pick apart the psyche might be too intense for some readers. That’s fine. Just because some readers cannot connect with it, though, is not an excuse to discount the literary value of the book itself.
White Oleander is an involved novel. It details the complexities of the mother daughter experience, showing the power each one holds over the other. It is not a detached, omniscient narrator novel. Reading it like it is would be doing yourself a disservice.
For me, the plot culminated when Astrid was in the delivery room with Niki. She notices that women in labor cry out for their mothers, even if their mothers mistreated or abandoned them. This moment shows just how far the mother daughter relationship affects the female psyche.
I did notice some problems the ending. Astrid has now found her father and is in a relationship with a boy she had lost contact with. The plot jumped—it provided no logical connection as to how these things happened. The ending seems tacked on; the novel was complete after Niki admits that she needed Astrid. The natural ending is not happy, but it is contented. Then the plot goes on to impose this overly happy ending that seems out of place.
It needs to be noted that males aren’t favorably portrayed. This has caused some people, mostly males, to be upset. To this issue I would pose the question: What about Steinbeck’s portrayal of females? When he creates one-dimensional female characters, female readers are asked to look beyond the sexism in order to see what the novel has to offer (in terms of plot, themes, etc.). With White Oleander, I ask males to do the same.
This book is about the female psyche. The torture the author had to put Astrid through in order to pick apart the psyche might be too intense for some readers. That’s fine. Just because some readers cannot connect with it, though, is not an excuse to discount the literary value of the book itself.
paguroidea's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
It reminded me of “A Little Life” except I actually liked this book a lot, and everything Astrid experiences felt so much more realistic than anything did in the former. The writing style was very much up my alley- vivid, poetic. I’d read more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Racism, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Gun violence, and Racial slurs
Minor: Ableism
mollyfy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lisakerd's review against another edition
3.0
The story itself is compelling, albeit tragic. But Fitch’s overindulgence of similes/metaphors, hyperbole, and poetic prose convolutes the narration and makes for an arduous and aggravating read.
nclausel25's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, and Drug use
Moderate: Murder, Suicide, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, Racism, Cursing, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Abortion
allie1229's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
5.0
captainsneakers's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The prose in this book is so heavy. It just feels like you have to push your way through as you're reading.
I'm also very angry that at no point did anyone (including the main character) tell the narrator, "no, you did not seduce those men. You were a vulnerable child that they took advantage of."
I would not recommend this book.
I'm also very angry that at no point did anyone (including the main character) tell the narrator, "no, you did not seduce those men. You were a vulnerable child that they took advantage of."
I would not recommend this book.
morlinlilly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
readerisha_'s review against another edition
4.0
This was such a great read! What else can I say? I was amazed by its poetic narration and the journey of a young girl, Astrid.
Very magnificent writing. 4.5!
Very magnificent writing. 4.5!
sian_m's review against another edition
4.0
Really loved this book!! It is so beautifully written, it felt like poetry as I was reading it. It stirred emotions within me and I felt such empathy for Astrid. I was sad for the ending, but it made perfect sense and it was the right call. A wonderful book that I would definitely reread!