1.75k reviews for:

Prodigal Summer

Barbara Kingsolver

4.06 AVERAGE

adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-paced
Loveable characters: Yes
lilith89ibz's profile picture

lilith89ibz's review

5.0

This book follows a few characters, all of them interesting in their own way, and part of the fun is figuring out how they're related to each other. The storylines are human and intense, and I really felt I got to know all the characters as people, with hopes, fears and desires.

Barbara Kingsolver read the audiobook and it really made this book for me. Not being American I could have never "heard" the accent right in my head if I had read it myself.

I just couldn't make myself care. It didn't speak to me, didn't move me nor delight me enough to make me want to pick it up again.

missmykela's review

3.0

I have mixed feelings towards this book, it’s well written and I like the nature aspect, but I find the story lacks (and the first 10-15 chapters are excruciatingly slow
carleyguill's profile picture

carleyguill's review

4.25
challenging emotional informative 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: Complicated

vickyt530's review

5.0

I'd forgotten how entrancing Barbara Kingsolver's mix of environmentalism and romance is. This book is so sensual and lush; I could practically smell the forest and the old farmhouses, hear the birds and summer insects, and I've never been to Appalachia. To date, she is the only author whose romance I can stomach (and dare say, even get swept up in). [b:Animal Dreams|77262|Animal Dreams|Barbara Kingsolver|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1481663395l/77262._SY75_.jpg|809743] remains my unrivaled favorite, since it slow burns with only one main character instead of three, but these characters won me over (especially, and surprisingly, crotchety old Garnett). In a visit to Science Friday bookclub , Kingsolver shared that she wrote this essentially as science communication, trying to convey four ecological principles to a popular audience in a form they'll actually read. Sometimes that goal is heavy-handed in the plot, but the book is so gorgeous I forgive it. Sexiest, most lyrical popular science I've read yet!

ennwoo's review

5.0
adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

amygentry's review

3.75
emotional lighthearted reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
verbivoracious's profile picture

verbivoracious's review

4.5
adventurous hopeful reflective 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

gsolt's review

5.0

This book is a gorgeous, poetic love letter to nature and the human experience. Through beautiful storytelling and different characters and perspectives, Kingsolver deals with important issues of love, agriculture, conservation and family. Loved this one, highly highly recommend!