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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
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:
No
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
reflective
This book was SO GOOD. There's a quote by Winterson in the introduction which is something like 'Writers should write about what they know. Readers should read about what they don't' which is so true, but especially for this book.
This was written a bit similarily to In the Dreamhouse with a lot of stories used as metaphors. It was just so good!
This was written a bit similarily to In the Dreamhouse with a lot of stories used as metaphors. It was just so good!
Jeanette Winterson’s Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit is a religious, coming-of-age story with LGBT themes—a combination i normally really love. The book originally caught my attention through the cover and then by offering a journey of self-discovery, rebellion, and the exploration of identity within a rigid religious household. While i enjoy narratives with religious overtones (especially when those themes evolve or dissipate as the story unfolds) i found myself struggling to stay engaged for most of this book. i constantly was flipping to see how many more pages were left in the chapter i was on.
The novel follows our protagonist as she navigates a strict upbringing and as she begins to develop feelings for another girl. It’s here that the story really takes off, diving into intense discussion of faith, morality, and, existential questions about the nature of good and evil. There’s no shortage of drama, with exorcisms, characters being banned, and weighty religious discussions every chapter. These moments had incredible potential, but much of this was dulled for me by the overwhelming amount of religious discussion.
While the story’s intention was clear, its execution felt cluttered. Many characters were introduced and given little to no background, which left the book feeling crowded and disconnected. Relationships (both romantic and familial) that were meant to feel profound often lacked the depth required for me to care for the characters. The book also tangles itself in a mix of fantasy side discussions about Humpty Dumpty, Merlin, princes, and princesses, alongside more heavy-handed religious symbolism. while intriguing in isolation, all of this together kept me from really getting in to the story, making the reading experience feel disjointed and overly busy.
Ultimately, while Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit contains moments of brilliance, it didn’t fully resonate with me. The book’s ambition is admirable, but its execution left me feeling more overwhelmed than moved. 3/5
the writing in this book is good but dense, making the short length seem longer. i grew up heavily religious (and grew out of it for reasons seen in this book) so i related well but still felt as though i was drowning while trying to read.
the true meaning of this book and the title is absolutely wonderful and will stick with me
The novel follows our protagonist as she navigates a strict upbringing and as she begins to develop feelings for another girl. It’s here that the story really takes off, diving into intense discussion of faith, morality, and, existential questions about the nature of good and evil. There’s no shortage of drama, with exorcisms, characters being banned, and weighty religious discussions every chapter. These moments had incredible potential, but much of this was dulled for me by the overwhelming amount of religious discussion.
While the story’s intention was clear, its execution felt cluttered. Many characters were introduced and given little to no background, which left the book feeling crowded and disconnected. Relationships (both romantic and familial) that were meant to feel profound often lacked the depth required for me to care for the characters. The book also tangles itself in a mix of fantasy side discussions about Humpty Dumpty, Merlin, princes, and princesses, alongside more heavy-handed religious symbolism. while intriguing in isolation, all of this together kept me from really getting in to the story, making the reading experience feel disjointed and overly busy.
Ultimately, while Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit contains moments of brilliance, it didn’t fully resonate with me. The book’s ambition is admirable, but its execution left me feeling more overwhelmed than moved. 3/5
the writing in this book is good but dense, making the short length seem longer. i grew up heavily religious (and grew out of it for reasons seen in this book) so i related well but still felt as though i was drowning while trying to read.
the true meaning of this book and the title is absolutely wonderful and will stick with me
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I struggled with some of the back and forth of this book and am a bit confused because I was under the impression that it was bout the author’s life yet it is classified as fiction. Winterson was adopted into a evangelical community by a mother who was fully devoted to the church and believed herself to be God’s elite. Her childhood was rather rigid and as she grows up she finds herself with feelings she is unable to identify or categorize because they are not common in her community. Oranges are woven throughout the book as offerings of peace within her family and in a way could represent the notion that there is only one way of seeing the world but Winterson wants to look past this once she realizes there are other belief systems which she may better identify with.