1.77k reviews for:

Prodigal Summer

Barbara Kingsolver

4.06 AVERAGE

ceefome's review

4.0

Barbara Kingsolver writes characters that are very tangible. I miss them when I close the book. I feel like I'm a part of the story. This book is no exception.

She weaves the stories and lives of her characters together so well. She brings across the environmental message without being preachy and with wonderful examples fleshed out in the story.

mclaughlinlp's review

4.0

A reread - read many years ago. Loved this book for the 2nd time!

angeladoran's review

5.0

Truly such a beautiful novel. I love how the land is a character all by itself, and how it ties everyone together.
founddrama's profile picture

founddrama's review

DID NOT FINISH

50 pages felt like 500. I couldn't get into it, not my style, not my subject matter. Though I'll admit there was a certain sexiness to her prose. Perhaps we'll revisit some time.
jo961blue's profile picture

jo961blue's review

5.0

This was my first ever novel by Barbara Kingsolver and I was blown away by the story-telling, the themes and the quality of writing. I was really drawn Ito and cared about the stories even as they were very far from my own interests and experiences. I have gone on to read many lore of her books and remain an
Avid fan.
lexiemarie17's profile picture

lexiemarie17's review

3.0
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Diverse cast of characters: No

If I'm totally honest and writing this review kind of just for myself, this was an ok 3.5 star book. I wanted to learn more about Appalachian community, and boom, this book showed up from the library. It's kind of a funny book in that there's a sex scene only 28 pages in (not recommending this to my mom after all). I think it was an attempt by Kingsolver to write a book covering somewhat entwined lives of three women at different stages of their adulthood. It felt a bit Gen Z+, but I did end up finishing it and learning a nice amount about nature in the Appalachian region of rural Kentucky.

neophi's review

3.0

A meandering tale of discovery and environmentalism. I would have liked less stereotypical portrayals of some characters, especially the many female ones. An enjoyable if not completely satisfying read.

tljy's review

4.0

Fantastic. So many great issues surrounding predator control, farming and conservation while having a good story to tell. Using this one in my class in the fall. excited to read it again.

juliet_juliet's review

5.0

This was the first "real" book I read after becoming a mother and I still have such incredibly strong feelings for it. I spent those weeks (a few pages at a time) being reassured that I was a part of something ancient and big, this whole birth and death thing called Life. I know that it affected the kind of mother I am even today.