A review by sexpest
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver

emotional lighthearted relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though it took more than 100 pages to connect the three storylines running parallel to one another, which, personally, felt a little too late even to begin hinting. The writing style was one of my biggest pet peeves, specifically in the chapters centering on Garnett. Here, the author constantly reiterated through dialogue what was already discussed through description which felt repetitive and unnecessary. By around the 300-page mark, I began to skip chapters that focused on Garnett's point of view because it just did not seem exciting or plot-forwarding.
One topic that was disturbing to read as it was introduced and played with so nonchalantly was...
the implied romantic relationship between Lusa and her dead husband's 17-year-old nephew, Ricky. It was so so very strange when it was introduced, but I let it slide due to it being only a few weeks after Lusa's husband passed away and figured it would be used as a literary device that showed just how lost Lusa was and how much she saw Cole in everyone she came across. But as the book continued and the two got closer, there was more and more talk of how Lusa noticed this boy's romantic, nay, sexual interest in her and how she seemed to enjoy it but only in theory. She'd never act on it, but she wasn't stopping it which was so yucky. Let me reiterate that she's in her mid-20s and her literal nephew is 17. At one point Ricky kisses her, and though she says that it's too much and not appropriate, she still keeps him around and personally, underreacts. And then, towards the end of the book, Ricky admits that he would like to take her to bed. She then admits out loud that she wouldn't be opposed! Like...huh? In what world is that appropriate? And to make matters worse she then invites him to take her dancing, which they both had said people (aka Ricky's parents...Lusa's in-laws) associate dancing very heavily to sexual intercourse. It feels very manipulative and predatory! She also asks him to manage her farm after which again feels like abusing her power knowing full well this boy has a very inappropriate and strong crush on her without her ever fully acknowledging how it 100% absolutely cannot and will not happen. Weird!

The only storyline that captivated me throughout the whole book was the chapters about Deanna. She was a very loveable character and I enjoyed her overall progression and growth. 
I would only recommend this book if you enjoy slow books and are willing to overlook some questionable beliefs/behaviors of the characters. It was published in 2000 after all. :)
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