Reviews

Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

maryeverettb's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

bandgeek3997's review against another edition

4.0

This is really about 3.5 stars for me, but I'm nice and round up.

The story centers around a woman living in Southern Appalachia, and despite claims at a younger age to getting out of there and moving on, she makes a couple mistakes that keep here exactly where she's at. On her family property, millions of butterflies settle on their mountain during their migration period. Normally, they go to Mexico, but because of the environmental issues there, the butterflies randomly choose the Turnbow farm.

In all honesty, it was an environmental message the entire time. I understand that it's an important thing to take care of the earth, but being hit over the head with it for like 400 times got old. I spent a lot of the book wondering when it was going to end.

jrmarr's review against another edition

4.0

I find this book incredibly difficult to describe - part story of transformation and coming to terms with your past; part education in the impact of climate change on the smallest of creatures; part tale of small town life and the ever-present gap between the poor and not-so-poor. All of these coalesce in a tale where the characters (however conflicted and conflicting) reach out from the page and grab at your heart strings. A very good read.

caitlin_huxham's review against another edition

emotional informative sad 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? Yes

2.5

helenmeigs's review against another edition

4.0

I read this book on a cross country train trip and thoroughly enjoyed it.

allisonwonderland80's review against another edition

challenging reflective

4.0

claire_dc22's review against another edition

slow-paced

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

3.0

bibliobrandie's review against another edition

2.0

I love Barbara Kingsolver, so giving her book 2 stars was painful. This book just didn't work for me. What I love most about her writing, her vivid, flawed and wonderful characters, was missing from this book. I agree with what another reviewer said: Flight Behavior feels like it was written not so much for the characters as to be the vehicle for a message: global warming is real and it's not just about changing temperatures. I believe that global warming is real but if I wanted to read about it, I'd probably have picked a non-fiction book. I felt like I was being hit over the head with the message and I didn't like the characters enough to really enjoy the book.

katesudol's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

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

2.5

kcrouth's review against another edition

2.0

I did not connect with this story as much as i have with other stories that i have loved from Ms. Kingsolver. I believe i understand the story and the messages contained, and i can empathize with the protagonist, drawing upon my formative years spent in the Ozarks of Missouri before i went to college. There are many powerful themes in the story, and looking back on it, i see the challenges put forth, and the hopes that are raised. I was just not drawn in to the degree i have been in most of the other of the authors wonderful stories. I'm not put off, just a little let down. Looking forward to reading more.