1.78k reviews for:

Prodigal Summer

Barbara Kingsolver

4.07 AVERAGE

lpoolilil's review

4.5
emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
ginnysgirl's profile picture

ginnysgirl's review

5.0

4.75 rounded up. Kingsolver seems like the voice of reason which is probably why I love her books so much. I always learn something when I read her novels and that makes this book worth your time.

bukephalas's review

3.0

I was hoping for something more like the Poisonwood Bible. Instead this came off as a little preachy, and some of the storylines weren't all that interesting. I found Lusa the most interesting character and could have read more of her and less of, say, Garnett, who comes off more a caricature than a full-fledged character.

kyannmcmillie's review

5.0
emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

hlmhlm's review

3.0

Enjoyed this but I’ve given three stars just because I didn’t love it as much as Flight Behavior (or Demon Copperhead obvs). The three intertwined stories were all captivating and I really loved Lusa’s — didn’t want it to stop! But the book had a bit of a feel of a lesson about the biodiversity crisis too. That’s fine, but just less subtle than in other Kingsolver books I’ve read
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joannneuroth's review

5.0
challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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: Yes

We re-read this aloud to each other -- probably the second or third time for each of us.  Lyrical, transcendent language used to reflect on deep spiritual connectivity between the world and us ... and between each other.  It didn't get old; it got newer.  Lusa ... Deanna ... Garnett ... Nanny ... Little Ricky are hauntingly human characters, working it out as best they can.  And the mystical senses by which Lusa "speaks" with her lover/husband through scent rather than words?  by which Deanna knows when it's time to let her time on the mountain go?  by which Garnett stumbles toward gratitude and care with his nemesis Nanny?  Priceless.  
hollyannsa's profile picture

hollyannsa's review

4.0

Such a wonderful book. Great characters and gorgeous writing.

kcatmac's review

5.0
adventurous hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
yoleolibros's profile picture

yoleolibros's review

5.0

I unexpectedly couldn't put this book down. It's been on my shelf since a friend gifted it to me in 2009 and I can't believe it took me so long to read. Love the conversations of nature, the slow easy writing, and the rich characters. Great "sit on your porch" summer read.
manda_librarian's profile picture

manda_librarian's review

4.0

Love love love Barbara Kingsolver's lyrical, lovely style and her writing rife w descriptions of nature!