Reviews

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

helen35's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

A really enjoyable story and characters and an interesting view of America and refugees and normal people dealing with difficult situations. Can't wait to read the sequel.

flightyrachel's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring

4.75

A lovely tale of hope, kindness and female solidarity. I really loved it. You can see the themes and style which Barbara Kingsolver will return to and develop. 

aameem's review against another edition

4.0

Characters so wholesome you come away from the book feeling comforted even though it's set against a backdrop of political corruption

Spoiler

concerning abandoned children and undocumented immigrants

.

whitneyastanley's review against another edition

emotional 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? No

4.0

emdollar's review against another edition

4.0

i thought this was great but it wasn’t a rave like her other book was. really sweet story and as always her prose is gorgeous and so thoughtful

pablopicostco's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

avitheenby's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

shelbyyjune's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? No

3.0

zybes's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? No

5.0

I loved this book. I remember my sister had to read it in high school and it’s been on my shelf for years, but I believe that this was the time I needed to read it. It’s a beacon of hope in a dark dark world. Written in 1988, so much still rings true about immigration and how much refugees have to fight to survive. I did not find the plot to be boring, like some other reviewers did. Her writing really sucks you in. Each sentence is packed with beauty and meaning. And I loved the meditation on what it means to be family and to be a neighbor. 

vaty's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0