Where The Heart Is (unabridged)

Rating:
Summary: Where the Heart Is Review
Review: In Billie Letts' novel Where the Heart Is the story will explore many different aspects of life. Letts style of writing is many different stories put together to make one novel. Any of these "stories" could have been set aside and made a book by itself. For example, Lexie and her kids, Forney taking care of his sister, Willy Jack, and many more. Wal-Mart is used as a symbol in the novel Where the Heart Is. Novalee was able to live in Wal-Mart and get everything she needed. Novalee was suited with the way her life was set. Although she got left there she was still able to make something out of her life. She did not give up on herself, she went out and read books and got to know people, Novalee also kept a record of what she "borrowed" from Wal-Mart so she could pay it back. After having her baby she was offered a job in any Wal-Mart, the owner paid her and told her not to worry about anything it was taken care of. Wal-Mart's symbolization helped the public because if someone can live in Wal-Mart then one can find anything there. Forney Hull is the librarian's brother. After his sister gets sick Forney takes care of her and runs the library. He meets Novalee and helps her find books she can read. After Novalee has her baby Forney falls in love with the little girl and baby-sits all the time. After Forney's sister gets sick he goes back to the city where his parents were buried and buries her there. After coming back he realizes that the Government has found a new librarian and he is out of a job. Forney decides that he does not need to live in the small town any more and he will venture off to find a new job. Ironically he finds himself coming back to the small town to be with Novalee and her daughter Americus. Another literary device is flash back. Sister Husband dreams about having kids but never got married. Yes she had a man but they were not married. It was by the luck of God that she found Novalee. After taking Novalee into her house and supporting Americus, her life was complete. After the tornado Novalee and Americus were devastated because Sister was gone. She helped them out so much through out their life.

Rating:
Summary: Fantasy Island
Review: I read this book for a book discussion club. The book is trite and obvious. Poor, ignorant, pregnant teenage girls turning out to be loving, competent and intelligent mothers... violent, drunken, lazy red necks see the error of their ways..reclusive bookworms find joy and love..the rich and educated are really villans..and every minorty character is warm, kind and welcoming. Politically correct fantasy.

Rating:
Summary: Even better than the movie!
Review: Novalee Nation's story made me think differently when I think that I'm having a "crummy" day. Novalee probably had the worst day anyone could possibly imagine when her boyfriend dumped her at a Wal-Mart in the middle of nowhere. Billie Letts made Novalee a character filled with perserverance, no matter what terrible challenges she comes across along the way. Billie Letts made this story stay with me more than the movie. This book was much more detailed and was more interesting than the movie. Even though I had to read this book for an assignment, I still had trouble putting it down before i went to bed at night because I couldn't wait to see what would come next for Novalee. But I rated it a 4 of 5, because I thought that some parts sort of just dragged on. But other than that, great book! Read it before you watch the movie!

Rating:
Summary: Better than the movie!
Review: The book I read is "Where the Heart Is" by Billie Letts. The book is about a young pregnant girl who is afraid of the number seven named Novalee Nation. She is seventeen and going to California with her boyfriend, Willie Jack. The are in Oklahoma, and Novalee has to stop at a Wal-Mart. She goes in the store and buys what she needs. The clerk gives her seven dollars and seventy-seven cents in change. When the clerk says this, Novalee know that Willie Jack left her there. She went outside and saw she was right. She has nowhere the go, so she decides to stay in the Wal-Mart at night. Throughout the time she was there, she meets nice people there. When she goes into labor, her friend Forney he and delivers the baby. She gives birth to the Wal-Mart baby. She goes to live with a lady named Sister. The whole book is about family and being with the ones who care about you. I enjoyed this book for a lot of reasons. One of them is that it really captures your attention, and you have to keep reading. It's a hard book to put down. I gave it a four because even though it's a great book, it's not the absolute best, which is the reason for me not giving it a five. The reason I gave it such a high score is that along with capturing your attention, it's a feel good book. These days, you rarely see anything feel-good. It's also a well-written book, which turned into a well-written movie. I enjoy both the book and the movie a lot.

Rating:
Summary: Where MY heart is!
Review: I saw the movie first, but in no way did it prepare me for the amazing depth and emotion in the book! I'll spare you the description of the story line, others have done it nicely for you on this page. Novalee is a believable character and one you feel for from the beginning and instantly you're happy she is left my her deadbeat boyfriend. Sister Husband is too good to be true, but sometimes angels are found on earth. Lexie, who becomes Novalee's best friend, goes through her own trials and between them, Novalee and Lexie support each other. Americus is a darling baby whom everyone loves and adores, and through it all, Novalee still feels she is undeserving of Forney's love. It takes several disasters and deaths for Novalee to realize her love for him, but then fears it's too late ...

Rating:
Summary: A book that keeps you reading for hours!!
Review: It is a great book for anyone who likes to read a true story about a real life situation. It is a perfect book for a 5th to any age reader! Have a great time reading it.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Breathtaking
Review: It is 12:14 in the morning. I have just finished reading "Where the Heart Is" and my cheeks are still damp with fresh tears. Don't worry, they are tears of pure joy. I could have waited until tomorrow to write my review, but I feel I owe this absolute masterpiece of literature a fresh, honest review. I own the movie "Where the Heart Is." I have watched it more than 10 times since it's release. I have also reviewed that movie. It was by word of mouth I heard of the book and it was a great love of the characters that drew me to read it. I honestly didn't think the book could outdo the movie! But, like "Gone with the Wind", I had a gut feeling the book might be better than the movie. I was right. The story is about Novalee Nation, seventeen, pregnant, and just abandoned at an Oklahoma Wal-mart by her boyfriend with seven dollars and seventy-seven cents to her name. With nowhere to go, she hides out in the Wal-Mart for almost two months living off canned food and the kindness of strangers. Novalee delivers her baby in the store and becomes famous for being the mother of the "Wal-Mart Baby". The local people she meets help her to discover her place in life. All these characters become permanantly attached to your heart forever. There is Sister Husband, a quirky, blue-haired local in charge of her own "Welcome Wagon" and many volunteer works, who takes Novalee into her home and heart; Lexi, the mother of four, who goes from being Novelee's nurse in the hospital to a lifelong friend...and Farney..the man in Novalee's life who teaches the young, uneducated girl to love, read, and accept life with all it's faults. All of the characters in the novel are in someway disfunctional...no matter who you are, there is someone in this book to relate to. Novalee is loved by many and learns where the heart is from the friends and trials she encounters on her journey to make her dreams and goals reality. I think this book is a real pick-me-up for anyone going through difficult times in their life. I also think every person in the world could benefit and feel good from reading this most wonderful of tales. We all need a good book with a happy, loving ending once in a while. This is most definitely the feel-good book of the year. Don't let this one pass you by.

Rating:
Summary: The most inspiring book I've ever read
Review: The first thing I must say is that I have read more than six thousand (literally) in my life, and no book sticks out more than this book. I picked up this book to read before it became popular, and since that time have read it five times. The first chapter immediately engulfs you. You feel sorry for Novalee because of the dump of a boyfriend she has, and I frankly became joyful that he dumped her off at the Walmart, at least he was now out of her life. From then on the book takes off. Sister Husband, Moses, Benny, and Forney are introduced in such a heart warming and humorous way you can't help loving them from the start. I won't spoil the rest for those who have yet to read this book, and I really don't feel my words are enough for this book. All I can do is hope that you, the reader, enjoy it as much as I have. In fact it might even change your view of the world, it changed mine.

Rating:
Summary: Natalie's Review of A Great Book
Review: I thought this book was very well written. It was written very realisticly therefore making all the characters and situations believable. I thought the main character, Novalee Nation, was interesting and entertaining. Often she would have a funny or smart remark that made me laugh out loud. Forney Hull, Novalee's friend, was my favorite character. He was caring and made me appreciate the friends I have. Hull had great spirit and brought comfort to a stressful situation. The other characters brought the book together making the story complete. Although it became boring at times, I thought it was an exciting book. Most of the time a conflict would occur making me want to read on until the conflict resolved. The conflicts varied from Novalee's boyfriends, to kidnappings, to Buckeye trees. I also liked the dialogue very mucg. It was colorful and the book was filled with many conversations. The book "Where the Heart Is" was a very entertaining and exciting book.

Rating:
Summary: A heartwarming and fun read!
Review: Readers will be immediatly swept up into the story of Novalee Nation, a seventeen year old, seven months pregnant firl, who dreams of a house without wheels and a better life. When things don't go exactly as planned, Novalee's practical sense of susrival and the kindness of strangers gets her through. Where the Heart Is is the kind of book you can't put down because you just have to know what will happen next. The unpredictable plot and quirky yet lovable characters draw you in and leave you wishing for a small town like Sequoyah. This is a wonderful book that everyone can relate to. I highly recommend it! Please let me know your thoughts on this book! [e-mail]