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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was just so beautiful in every way. I placed a hold because after Demon Copperhead, I just wanted more Barbara Kingsolver. (She can do no wrong, I now know.) Set in the hill country of Appalachia once again, this novel didn't really seem to have much happening, per se, and yet, over the course of one short summer, everything happened. Nature went through its annual cycle, and life went on. I'd put this book up with The Overstory as a perfect book for anyone who appreciates nature and its wondrousness - the miracle of life in all of its forms and how the system works together in harmony, most of the time. It certainly made me think differently about that coyote whose path I crossed on a morning walk not too long ago - an encounter that caused me to completely change my route for the subsequent months! Kingsolver has a gift with language; her prose is gorgeous and seems to perfectly capture all of the beauty and connections in the world she creates.
And the characters, oh the characters! Never before has such an unlovable, cantankerous old man (Garrett Walker) been redeemed by an author's indulgence or mercy. It was a delight to read the sections from his perspective, as so many of the older, old-world men that I knew in my youth were very much like him. Expecting the world to submit to him, through any means necessary, and entirely steadfast in his beliefs. Refusing to be budged. His feud with Nannie Rawley was funny and heartening, as he very, very slowly made tiny strides to understand the world from her perspective. The episode with the snapper was hilarious and told so well.
As for Luce, she may have been just a little too perfect, but that would be one of my only complaints. As a character, she seemed to have no flaws whatsoever. I loved listening to the conversations between Luce and Chris, where Chris (Christal) seemed to be speaking another language altogether.
And as for Deanna, that whole section seemed a bit mysterious to me; I didn't love these sections as much as the other parts, though she was a badass woman who was, I thought, living her best life. Eddie Bondo seemed to take away some of her strength, in a way.
And the final chapter, told from the perspective of the coyote, was just the icing on the cake. I actually finished that chapter while walking along the very road where I had my coyote encounter - it was reading this book that gave me the courage to return to that route!
In all, a beautiful story where not too much happens but, like I said, life happens.
Read by the author, whose voice was soothing and lovely, and whose accents made Chris's character really come alive for me. Highly recommend.
And the characters, oh the characters! Never before has such an unlovable, cantankerous old man (Garrett Walker) been redeemed by an author's indulgence or mercy. It was a delight to read the sections from his perspective, as so many of the older, old-world men that I knew in my youth were very much like him. Expecting the world to submit to him, through any means necessary, and entirely steadfast in his beliefs. Refusing to be budged. His feud with Nannie Rawley was funny and heartening, as he very, very slowly made tiny strides to understand the world from her perspective. The episode with the snapper was hilarious and told so well.
As for Luce, she may have been just a little too perfect, but that would be one of my only complaints. As a character, she seemed to have no flaws whatsoever. I loved listening to the conversations between Luce and Chris, where Chris (Christal) seemed to be speaking another language altogether.
And as for Deanna, that whole section seemed a bit mysterious to me; I didn't love these sections as much as the other parts, though she was a badass woman who was, I thought, living her best life. Eddie Bondo seemed to take away some of her strength, in a way.
And the final chapter, told from the perspective of the coyote, was just the icing on the cake. I actually finished that chapter while walking along the very road where I had my coyote encounter - it was reading this book that gave me the courage to return to that route!
In all, a beautiful story where not too much happens but, like I said, life happens.
Read by the author, whose voice was soothing and lovely, and whose accents made Chris's character really come alive for me. Highly recommend.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautiful. Tender. Sensual. A stunning book on the hard act of living. The breathing in and out and staying alive, but also the real living and loving and relationships and pain of life. I appreciate Kingsolver's ability to put us right in the book, making farm life and mountain life come alive. I appreciate her ability to weave a story that shares information without sounding like a textbook. The animals are just as much characters in this book as the humans. Stunning.
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A beautiful book of love, people, and nature. Can you ask for anything more!? Can’t get much better than that.
Actually yes, it was recommended to me because someone knew I would appreciate it :) and that is definitely more. thanks Em!
Actually yes, it was recommended to me because someone knew I would appreciate it :) and that is definitely more. thanks Em!
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Informative on wildlife and farming in the Appelachians. The characters sex scenes seem detracting for the storyline and out of place.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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:
Yes
“Pretty” is the word that comes to mind with this book. It was beautifully written and I loved the 3 distinct but intertwined storylines. The perspectives were so varied - I really enjoyed the characters she created that allowed for an authentic feeling representation of a small Appalachian farming town. I really found myself looking forward to sitting down to read this one.