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Summary: 'WHITE OLEANDER'
Review: After seeing the preiviews for the movie 'WHITE OLEANDER' I decided to pick up the book because it looked like an intiguing story. The book was not at all what I expected it is the story of Astrid a teenage girl who is put into foster care after her mother Ingrid is convicted of murdering her lover. Astrid who had lived in some of the most exotic places on earth from Denmark to Guanajuato now at thirteen finds herself in the California foster care system. She ultimatley moves around to six dfferent foster homes each in their own way worse yet at the same time better than the last. Astrid realizes that she must grow up quickly and learn to fend for herself in order to survive in this system.'WHITE OLEANDER' at times was a bit tedious to read with the novel moving at a slow pace at times and the metaphoric langauge but in the end I was very glad that I did because despite that the story was well worth reading. 5 stars!
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Summary: White Oleander Deservs 5 stars!
Review: White Oleander definetly deserves 5 stars. This is one of those books where you just can't put it down. Astrid is the daughter of Ingrid, a poet and writer. Ingrid can't the pain of having a broken heart. When her ex-lover, Barry Kolker, ends his and Ingrids relationship, Ingrid posions him with oleanders. Now i can't tell you anymore because i just started, but read it. I know i'll re read it over and over again.
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Summary: Fantastic book
Review: I believe "White Oleander" is the best book i have read in my young lifetime. Janet Fitch has a nack for making the most ordinary days in time seem extraordinarily beautiful. This book, poignant and mature, is a must-read.
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Summary: In love
Review: One phrase to describe the way you feel about this bookduring the first 300 pages "totally in love" the last 150 pages is down hill. It's not bad but it is as gripping as the beginning. But all around reccomend this book to anyone one desprate to fall in love with a book.
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Summary: not my kind of book
Review: I thought the writing was a bit amateur and the plot a little too soap opera dramatic.
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Summary: Lyrical and compelling - a beautiful novel
Review: White Oleander is not your "usual" coming-of-age story. Never once are you asked to pity Astrid, the protagonist of the story. The story is compelling and lyrical, but not sappy. It is beautifully written in language that could appeal to many different people from many different backgrounds - women and men alike. Astrid's story keeps you interested. Astrid's experiences keep you emotionally involved. Janet Fitch has done an amazing job putting flesh on these intriguing characters. I loved this book - couldn't put it down until I was done. Beautiful book! Thank you Janet Fitch!
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Summary: Thoroughly enjoyed....
Review: I was recommended this book after discussing various books of this genre with a friend. I went out the next week to get it, and the moment I was on the first page, I couldn't put it down. The descriptions in the story are so vivid, so real, that you can almost feel like you are there. The characters, are so utterly believable, that you don't feel like it is a story - you feel like it is happening - and I am sure it does, all over the world. I was blown away by this story, the quality of the storytelling, the sheer essence of the story itself and I reccomend it to all.
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Summary: Fabulous and educational
Review: You won't be able to put this book down! You will recommend it to everyone you know.One of the best contemporary novels ever. You will learn all about poverty, Los Angeles neighborhoods and geography, state foster care, and most memorably you will learn about Kandinsky. This is an unforgetable book with unforgettable charcters.
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Summary: I was really dissapointed
Review: After reading how so many people LOVED this book and since the movie is coming out in two weeks, I couldn't wait to read it. I too could not put this book down and read it in 5 days. But I was so sad the whole time while reading it and I would have ended this book entirely different. I would have made Claire the same character but by having Astrid in her life, she would have become stronger and the person she longed to be. When Claire commited suicide, I was furious at the author. Claire could have also triumphed in this novel. An interesting ending could have been Astrid choosing Claire over her mother and dealing with those ramifications. Life is not always this tragic. There are wonderful people in this world that mold us and help us and are better for it. I feel like Claire was one of these individuals and taking her life made no sense to me. I also didn't like the crude parts in this book. It would have been just as good without them. I was really offended by some of it.
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Summary: Only The Most Perfect Book I've Ever Read
Review: This is a completely beautiful story. It is at once sad, enfuriating, and optimistic. Astrid, the protaganist, faces so many difficulties and challenges that the reader can't help rooting for her. She is treated so badly by so many people. This book is extremely moving, I cried throughout the whole thing. Fitch is an extremely talented writer, not only does she create a captivating story, but she does so in some of the most beautiful language I've ever read. She also reveals many insights into our world in general. As sad as this book is, I think that its ultimate message is one of hope. And it is really very uplifting in an odd way.
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