A review by jenmat1197
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

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.