Book: The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
Age-range: 13 and up
Recommended: Yes
As good as the first time?: Yes
I don't remember when I first read this book, but it's stuck with me. It's over 20 years old, but it still reads like it could be today (aside from a few pop-culture references from the 80s). It's an amazing story about family and what constitutes a family, about illegal immigrants and about abuse. When you take most of the subject matter individually it sounds depressing, but it really isn't.
The book is about a southern girl, and the voice is perfect. In the first chapter it's a very thick accent, but it fades as the book goes on so it never gets irritating or overbearing. She moves from Kentucky across the country to Arizona, with a stop-off in Oklahoma on the way. While she's in Oklahoma she acquires a baby girl. In Arizona she meets a lot of colorful, wonderful people.
This book is sort of hard to explain, but it's beautiful and amazing and it makes you see things a little differently. A definite must-read.
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3 comments:
You're right - "The Bean Tree" has to be read to be understood. In fact I would almost say the "The Bean Tree" is a reading experience. It isn't my most favorite book but it is a book I am very grateful I read.
Okay - but you still haven't answered me - have you read Girl of the Limblerost???
Nope.
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