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jenmat1197's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
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
4.0
This is the story of Taylor Greer. She is running from her old life and in the process of doing so, she is handed a three year old Native American girl to take care of. She knows nothing of this child or why she was given the child, but she takes her and nicknames her Turtle. Over the new few months, Taylor settles into a life in Arizona and starts to meet friends. She moves in with one of her friends, Lou Anne, who recently got a divorce and has a baby of her own. They support each other and when there is threat that Turtle might be taken away from Taylor, she decides she will do anything she can to stop that from happening.
This was a great book. I do like most of Kingsolver's novels. She is a pretty good storyteller. I listened to this one and the narrator was excellent. It flows pretty well, and there is good character development. I really like Taylor and Lou Anne and their support of one another. The flaws for me of this book was that some conversations did seem to be too drawn out - especially when it was a side character. And also the ending was a bit unbelievable - but I won't spoil why. I am happy it turned out the way it did, but it didn't seem believable.
lostinfrance's review against another edition
5.0
Yeah! Barbara....nothing better than some good prose at the beginning of a vacation. I enjoyed the book...loved the characters and the story. It is not my number one of her books (I liked Prodigal Summer better), but it was well worth the wait.
Second Read: This book seemed like such an important read at this point in our country's....destruction? (All you, big Cheetoh, all on you). I have always enjoyed Kingsolver's writing. My sister introduced me to her and I started picking up her books after college. She is from my part of the world and she writes beautifully--- her words echo in my brain even after putting the book down.
I chose to reread this work when I found a copy at the Book Thing. It had been so long since I read anything by her and I wanted to see why I enjoyed it so much.
This is the story of Taylor who leaves home to find a new world--- and ends up in Tucson Arizona. Along the way she is given a small child who needs to escape Cherokee Nation and she and the small girl build a home. She has a roommate who helps her figure out motherhood, Lou Anne, and a boss who treats her as family, Mattie. While in Tucson, Taylor is forced to figure out what she believes when it come to family, immigration and motherhood. She also finds a way to keep Turtle (her adopted daughter). I enjoyed this book and how Taylor was able to build a home from the misfits and parts of her life.
Read: if you enjoy books about people exploring new places.
2019 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge: Reread of a favorite book
Second Read: This book seemed like such an important read at this point in our country's....destruction? (All you, big Cheetoh, all on you). I have always enjoyed Kingsolver's writing. My sister introduced me to her and I started picking up her books after college. She is from my part of the world and she writes beautifully--- her words echo in my brain even after putting the book down.
I chose to reread this work when I found a copy at the Book Thing. It had been so long since I read anything by her and I wanted to see why I enjoyed it so much.
This is the story of Taylor who leaves home to find a new world--- and ends up in Tucson Arizona. Along the way she is given a small child who needs to escape Cherokee Nation and she and the small girl build a home. She has a roommate who helps her figure out motherhood, Lou Anne, and a boss who treats her as family, Mattie. While in Tucson, Taylor is forced to figure out what she believes when it come to family, immigration and motherhood. She also finds a way to keep Turtle (her adopted daughter). I enjoyed this book and how Taylor was able to build a home from the misfits and parts of her life.
Read: if you enjoy books about people exploring new places.
2019 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge: Reread of a favorite book
droffig's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-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
5.0
kimreadz's review against another edition
3.0
I read the ebook version on my Pandigital Novel. The story is about Taylor, a young woman from Kentucky who didn't have a lot of direction or goals, but only knew she didn't want to live her life in Kentucky, so she started driving. She acquired the name of Taylor when she got to IL and passed through Taylorville. In Oklahoma, she acquired a 3 year old. She settles in Arizona, and the story tells of friends and choices she made there. I enjoyed the book, but it seemed to end a little abruptly. I would have like to have known more about what happened after her return home (and I won't tell you where home is!)
iamkati's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
alysonhere's review against another edition
3.0
Mini Review/Notes: Taylor ended up being a better person than I thought she would be. Less rough and desperate and more kind and loving. Esperanza's attachment to Turtle and later "giving away" as a way to let go of Ismere struck me the most.
lajenn's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
egnrussell's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
graceshellum's review against another edition
4.25
Got stuck halfway through the book. I only kept reading because I had to for my English class and was going to use sparknotes for the rest of the book, but ended up pushing through and am glad I did! The characters in this book are so incredibly raw and real and have authentic voices, and deal with topics that were relevant in the 1980s (when the book was written and takes place) that are still relevant today!!! I ended up really liking this book and would’ve rated it higher if I hadn’t gotten in a reading slump halfway through because the books is character-motivated, and felt only slightly plot-motivated towards the end of the book.