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ohsovalentine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? Yes
4.5
Once again Kingsolver hits it out of the park and I need to prep for a book coma! 3 distinct love-ish stories that come together magically but leave room for you to finish the tale of coupling, family and growth. Oh, and you'll learn a lot about flora & fauna while you're at it!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Pregnancy
sjanke2's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Cancer, Car accident, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Grief, and Pregnancy
danimcthomas's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Beautiful, lush prose - the setting is as much a character as the three interwoven main characters. The book is about family, love, and self - what it means to not forsake any of those for any of the others. It’s slow to the point of being meditative - and it feels purposeful - like Kingsolver is making us pause and breathe in the mountain air.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Car accident, and Animal death
mr_cain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.75
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.
The second reason I docked .25 of a star was
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Incest, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
Minor: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Addiction, and Sexual content
bxcvi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Cancer, and Death
Minor: Pregnancy
glasshalffull713's review against another edition
hopeful
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Death, Grief, and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy
zarlynsnook's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Animal death
Moderate: Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Incest, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual content
passionatereader78's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
An emotional story about 3 women living in the mountains of Virginia . Beautiful detail and biology facts. If you like books that have a descriptive setting this book is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Cancer, and Car accident
Minor: Pregnancy and Child death
_kbean_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
A beautiful story with characters I grew to love, and an abundance of nature references/education. But, it took me far too long to get into. I nearly gave up several times and only persevered after reading other reviews saying it was worth it! Also agree with other reviewers that the ending did not live up to expectations.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Death, Sexual content, and Transphobia
leadabird's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Incest, Death of parent, and Xenophobia