White Oleander: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: This book had promise, but failed in the end
Review: My friend told me that this book was a must read and in the past, she has always been right. Unfortunately, White Oleander reeled me in, but left me out at sea. The writing is wonderful and the main story is interesting. However, in the middle of the book, I felt like the author packed up and left this story. She wasted what could have been truly magical!

Rating:
Summary: A Terrible Message
Review: The author's romaniticizing the sexual abuse of a young girl was very disturbing. Flowery language doesn't compensate for a terrible message.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome read
Review: I couldn't put it down. The writing was so beautiful I had to reread certain sections over and over again. I loved the wonderful characters. It was the best read in a long while. Bill Folley

Rating:
Summary: A unigue outlook on life
Review: This is one amazing book. The charecters are vivid and real, and I've learned a intresting outlook on life in the eyes of the seductive Ingrid. And it's true, my religion is a being a Surviver

Rating:
Summary: Great potential, but a let-down of an ending.
Review: The beginning was very mind-catching. I believe that the middle was the absolute best, especially when she lived with Claire. The greatest potential of the story was at that point. Unfortunately, everything beyond that was nothing but a let-down. It seemed as if the worst of the book was repeating itself.

Rating:
Summary: Definately not a book to bring on your honeymoon.
Review: Not having much time to read in my busy life, I was going on a two-week honeymoon with all the time in the world to read. I wanted a great book to bring with me. I caught the Oprah show where she raved and raved about this book. I had to have it. The first week of my honeymoon was pretty much laying around the pool reading this gawd awful miserable book, the second week I didn't even touch it. I depressed me too much. I agreed with Oprah that the writing was really really superb. I enjoyed Janet Fitch's descriptive writing. That was the only thing that kept me attracted to the book. About a month after my honeymoon I finished the book, just because I wanted to see how it ended, hoping for somewhat of a happy ending. What a dissapointment. Absolutely gloomy. Maybe I live in a fantasy world, but I at least expect a happy ending. Sorry Oprah, I have to dissagree.

Rating:
Summary: BITTERSWEET
Review: This is a very lovely story about the dominating relationship of the mother with her daughter. It is very unfortunate that child could go through so much with her mother and still love her.Janet Fitch does an excellent job of describing events. I almost could feel as if was actually there with the characters of the story-going through the same emotions and feelings. I could not put this book down. Perfect for late night readings.

Rating:
Summary: Rhythmic, intelligent prose with an incredible story.
Review: This was a fascinating story of a young girl's coming of age through the toughest of circumstances. A gritty, dark story told in a poetic symmetry that made it an unstoppable read.

Rating:
Summary: Similar to "She's Come Undone"
Review: This book was incredible. I was uplifted and also saddened that someone could actually survive through this awful life. The main character is Astrid, she is delightful, funny and also a bit too real for some of us. I read this book over a couple of days and could have read more, it was very much like "She's Come Undone" and I enjoyed it immensly.

Rating:
Summary: I had to read it twice, it was so beautifully written.
Review: Reading Janet Fitch's 'White Oleander' was like listening to beautiful, soothing music. I WAS Astrid. This story touched me in an way I've not been touched before.