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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
(2002) Barbara Kingsolver is one of those authors who I try to follow fairly religiously, and whose novels I always pick up as soon as they're released. So when Prodigal Summer came out, I bought a copy immediately. I was far less impressed with it than some of her other earlier novels, but I did still enjoy it. I tried re-reading it again recently, and found that I just couldn't get into it this time around. It's a good story, but I didn't find the characters quite as engaging as in earlier Kingsolver novels.
UPDATE 2008-05-04: I've also now just finished "reading" the audiobook version, which is narrated by Barbara Kingsolver, herself. I was a bit skeptical at first, because very few authors, in my experience, are able to do a decent reading of their own books. Kingsolver was fine, though. Her voice was soothing, and she was decent at differentiating the voices and moods of the characters.
I remembered this go-around what bothered me about the novel. I usually love stories where there are separate strands that all come together at the end, but I didn't feel satisfied with the ending here. I guess I like neat tidy little packages a little too much - this one felt like there was still story left to tell after the ending. Oh well.
UPDATE 2008-05-04: I've also now just finished "reading" the audiobook version, which is narrated by Barbara Kingsolver, herself. I was a bit skeptical at first, because very few authors, in my experience, are able to do a decent reading of their own books. Kingsolver was fine, though. Her voice was soothing, and she was decent at differentiating the voices and moods of the characters.
I remembered this go-around what bothered me about the novel. I usually love stories where there are separate strands that all come together at the end, but I didn't feel satisfied with the ending here. I guess I like neat tidy little packages a little too much - this one felt like there was still story left to tell after the ending. Oh well.
3.5 stars. I love the science lessons interwoven with the stories. Human nature. Animal nature.
Why have I not read this book before? I am angry with my friends (talking to YOU, book club ladies) who have read this book and did not tell me that I must absolutely read it right away. I feel like it was written for me. I have never before been moved to write to an author, but I just might be sending Ms. Kingsolver a thank you.
In this story, which is actually three loosely connected stories, we have not one but THREE strong female characters. I feel like each one of them has a piece of me in her...the hermit-like forest ranger who distrusts civilization; the bookish out-of-place entomologist; the eccentric "bra-burning Unitarian" old apple-grower who rails against her neighbor for spraying pesticides on his trees. Throughout, I was delighted to find discussions of population ecology, botany, entomology, organic farming, and predator/prey interactions seamlessly woven into the story. I found myself regretting the fact that there was so much damned sex in the story, because otherwise it would be a perfect book to recommend to my environmental science students for an extra credit read. It presents the science very clearly and simply for the layperson, and makes it colorful and interesting to boot. I adored this book.
In this story, which is actually three loosely connected stories, we have not one but THREE strong female characters. I feel like each one of them has a piece of me in her...the hermit-like forest ranger who distrusts civilization; the bookish out-of-place entomologist; the eccentric "bra-burning Unitarian" old apple-grower who rails against her neighbor for spraying pesticides on his trees. Throughout, I was delighted to find discussions of population ecology, botany, entomology, organic farming, and predator/prey interactions seamlessly woven into the story. I found myself regretting the fact that there was so much damned sex in the story, because otherwise it would be a perfect book to recommend to my environmental science students for an extra credit read. It presents the science very clearly and simply for the layperson, and makes it colorful and interesting to boot. I adored this book.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I spent the first half of this book hating it, and the second half finding a connection to the characters that ultimately lacked proper resolution at the end. That said, the writing was pretty good (save for the super bizarre smut scenes), and the message was nice as well. Would not enthusiastically recommend, but was not a total waste of time either.
This book expertly tells three stories that are each seperately compelling. Three women who feel strongly that nature should have a say in how it is treated, and the reactions of those around them to these convictions. But also a story of family and love and heartache.
“Solitude is a human presumption. Every quiet step is thunder to beetle life underfoot, a tug of impalpable thread on the web pulling mate to mate and predator to prey, a beginning or an end. Every choice is a world made new for the chosen.”
I’m torn between giving this 3 or 4 stars because the first half was really slow and difficult for me, but having completed it, I think I would enjoy the first half more had I had any inkling of how it was all going to come together. This book is a love letter to nature and the food chain.
The first chapter is the horniest description of nature I’ve ever read in my life and that theme of life, reproduction and sex being part of nature kept recurring. Sometimes in oddly surprising ways and sometimes in ways that made more sense than anything you’ve ever read before. If you’re a nature lover and interested in the ecosystem, you may really appreciate this book. I’m fairly ignorant and I appreciated it a lot.
I’m torn between giving this 3 or 4 stars because the first half was really slow and difficult for me, but having completed it, I think I would enjoy the first half more had I had any inkling of how it was all going to come together. This book is a love letter to nature and the food chain.
The first chapter is the horniest description of nature I’ve ever read in my life and that theme of life, reproduction and sex being part of nature kept recurring. Sometimes in oddly surprising ways and sometimes in ways that made more sense than anything you’ve ever read before. If you’re a nature lover and interested in the ecosystem, you may really appreciate this book. I’m fairly ignorant and I appreciated it a lot.