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Summary: This book turned me on to reading
Review: White Oleander was the first book that convinced me that reading is worth my while. The whole book read like along poem and I found Janet Fitch's talent astounding. I am sure that years from now Fitch will have produced several modern day classics. I am eagerly awaiting the motion picture version (I'm hoping for one) of this wonderfully original novel.
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Summary: This was a book I read without realizing I was reading.
Review: Each page of this book painted a picture. While not realizing I had read a single word, my mind focussed on pictures both terrible and disturbing on every page. It was a book I could not bear to read and could not bear to put down. There is hardly a day that some scene from this book does not appear in my mind's eye. I eagerly await her next endeavor.
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Summary: Does anyone need an almost new book?
Review: I started this book and simply couldn't finish it. I kept imagining the mother to look like Glen Close in Fatal Attraction (her actions were even more far fetched). I have read lots of "dark" books but this one held no attraction for me. I simply didn't care for the characters.
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Summary: Audio book version doesn't do "White Oleander" justice.
Review: As much as I love Oprah Winfrey, her voice is not appropriate to narrate this wonderful novel. I found the story to be captivating, but I was frequently distracted by Oprah's voice, which is rich and mature. The narrator of the book is supposed to be a teenage girl. I was also distracted by Oprah's voice characterizations of the other people in the novel. She frequently gave the other characters southern accents, even though the story takes place in California. This experience has taught me to buy the book and read it myself. "White Oleander" was one of the finest novels I have encountered. It is unfortunate that the editor for the audio version did not do his or her job.
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Summary: White Oleander a Disappointment
Review: I never read any of Oprah's recommended books before, but after hearing her gush about this one I decided to try it. I spent much time trying to figure out how someone could think this is one of the best books he or she has ever read. I wish for such people that they could be exposed to better books. I debated with myself every 2 or 3 chapters as to whether or not I should finish this book. I was especially offended by the unnecessarily explicit sexual content. It made me sick to my stomach. I did not find this book to be 'liquid poetry'. I found the language to be horribly overwrought and frustrating to read. Much of the imagery made no sense to me. I felt that this book had a lot of potential and that it could have been much better if written by a better author. I did not agree with it as a story of a search for self. It seemed that by the end the only thing Astrid had realized is that she was not her mother, which is a start but surely not a very impressive self realization. I found this book to be lacking in depth and insight on Astrid's part. The most interesting insight came from Ingrid. Overall I did not feel very much of a connection with the character. I could not wait to finish this book so I could be through with it and maybe read something good. I am dismayed that reviewers raved so much about this book; it is to me a sad indicator of the level of literary appreciation these people seem to have. I will take from this book an appreciation for my childhood, which was nothing like Astrid's. The book had a few well written sections and it is a shame the whole book was not as good as those parts. I would be ashamed to tell anyone that I read this book. I'm glad I'm through with it, and I'll be happy to get back to reading the kinds of books I'm used to reading--truly well written ones.
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Summary: Incredible, hypnotic, seductive, I couldn't put it down.
Review: White Oleander simply touched me more than almost any novel I have ever read. Astrid was a realistic character. Anyone who thinks that this novel was extreme and melodramatic in its portrayal of foster care obviously knows nothing of foster care or displaced children from disfunctional homes. Having worked in inpatient psychiatric units with both children and adults in state custody, I am well aware of how realistic Janet Fitch's book was.The things that happened to Astrid happen to children every day in this country. In fact reality is a little worse. The novel also presented the fact that we all recieve blessings and curses from our parents. Ingrid was a sociopath who did whatever she felt like doing regardless of who got hurt. She ruthlessly dominated her child's life "I am your home" and seemed to feel justified in doing so. However she also was a brilliantly educated poet who passed on the gifts that helped Astrid to survive her years in foster care: strength, independence, and a love of learning, a sharp intellect. I saw Astrid as a survivor who was as together as anyone could be after 6 years in foster care. In life, and in White Oleander, there is no happily ever after, and there are always loose ends. Fitch made me laugh and cry with her liquid poetry. A testement to survival.
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Summary: Beautifully-written, 3-d characters, but. . . .
Review: I disagree with reviewers who say this story has no plot and needs editing for grammar and style (Please, the joy of living in the present is that contemporary standards allow those who know how to break the rules for effect, break them! Janet Fitch definitely knows the rules and should be given license to write in her poetic voice if she chooses.) Sadly, I do not find either the characters or settings or plot "unrealistic." "Real life"--which certainly includes an American foster care system in crisis--is filled with people enduring complex and nearly incomprehensible--to many of us--problems. The beauty of Astrid is that she is a survivor: despite all her tragic encounters, she has an agile mind and spirit capable of analyzing and overcoming--at least to a certain extent--her misfortunes. Unlike the Pollyannas some readers seem to be longing for, she's a heroine in the real sense of the word. Fitch attempts to deceive no one by giving Astrid "happy-ever-after" traits and a fairy-tale ending: we know she'll continue to struggle, but we also know her strong spirit gives her the chance of survival. Maybe she won't survive. Guess what? That's not depressing-- that's life. My one complaint with the book is its tendency to the overly graphic. I don't believe I'm a prude--I can read graphic descriptions if they are BALANCED by message and plot. I found many of the sex scenes--particularly between Astrid and Ray--to be nothing but titillating. Surely we readers have enough imagination to comprehend the complexity of Astrid's situation--abuse coupled with real desire and confusion--without having to bring a magnifying glass and climb into bed with her? In this one aspect I found the book unbalanced. Sadly, I have few friends to whom I dare recommend this book. I think it takes sophisticated and patient readers indeed to get past the surface plot that many would read as "plain old smut" to the beauty of the book's many messages.
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Summary: I did not want to finish this novel, what a great book!!
Review: Janet Fitch has reminded me what a great story really is!! I am very excited to read more of her work, soon I hope!
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Summary: To appreciate this book, you must be a poet at heart!
Review: I personally loved this story. There were moments of sweet rest, and chapters of total chaos. I can see where this book may not enrapture everyone. For to truely appreciate this book, one must be a poet at heart. I thought that Ms. Fitch did an outstanding job, this being her first novel. And I hope that she does as well in the future. White Oleander deserves FIVE stars, regardless of what the critics have to say!
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Summary: One of the best books I've read in a long time
Review: Although this book could have been depressing because of the subject matter, Janet Fitch choose to portray the experiences of this young woman through beauty and humor and human introspection. Her use of words and descriptions are phenomenal. I literally couldn't put the book down. When I finished, I looked at my surroundings in a different light. I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs a lift, or needs a charge in their life.
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