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drwozniak 's review for:
White Oleander
by Janet Fitch
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
So close to four stars. My big complaint is the language as it relates to the character. The language is beautiful. Poetic. But no 12 year old or even 17 year old thinks like this. Even the “old souls” and pretentious rich kids don’t have this level of introspection, that’s why they’re children. It could have worked if it was being told from the perspective of an older Astrid looking back on her life. It just kept pulling me out of the story. The end also dragged just a wee bit but it was worth it.
Fuck her mom though. What a cunt. I almost felt sorry for her at the very end (and I do love how that relationship was developed). Loved the little worlds that were created with each family. Claire was my favorite (again I hate Astrid’s mom so much) but I grew to love all the women who were kind to Astrid as she grew up. Really great exploration of complicated relationships. Glad I read.
Fuck her mom though. What a cunt. I almost felt sorry for her at the very end (and I do love how that relationship was developed). Loved the little worlds that were created with each family. Claire was my favorite (again I hate Astrid’s mom so much) but I grew to love all the women who were kind to Astrid as she grew up. Really great exploration of complicated relationships. Glad I read.