Rating: 
Summary: Entrancing lovely prose and an all too true scenario
Review: With respect to those who don't believe that Foster Homes can be that bad, They Can. I worked in the system for several years. I had to get out because I felt so depressed about the poor options kids have in this kind of situation. There are lots of wonderful pages in this book though. It gives hope to read about a girl who could go through the things in this story and survive. I thought the writing could have been tighter and some of the chapters felt like they were filler. But when I got to the end of the book I felt bereft. I need to know how this girl turns out in a few more years. I hope she makes it all the way to actual happiness. I wonder how some of the kids I worked with did.
Rating: 
Summary: Attack of the Simile
Review: I very much wanted to like this book, as the prose was highly recommended. But I couldn't get past the first 10 pages because of the over-writing. A simile is thrown in every other sentence and has a gagging effect. Such as: "I sat at the empty drafting table next to my mother's, drawing the way the venetian blinds sliced the light like cheese. (!?) I waited to hear what my mother would say next, but she put her headphones back on, like the period after the end of a sentence." This is only one example of an obvious writing trick that gets in the way of the story telling. I couldn't stop rolling my eyes!
Rating:
Summary: A nice fast read
Review: I really liked this book alot. It wasn't the greatest novel i've ever read, but it was a nice read. You can't rush through it though because the writer has a unique way of describing things. You don't want to miss anything. I definitely recomend this for anyone. You really get attached to Astrid.
Rating: 
Summary: Fresh and stunning imagery with an unbelievable plot.
Review: Fitch is a fine writer, and I hope to read more of her work in the future. Her characters are wonderful and varied, and her language is rich with unforgettable imagery. The plot is overwrought, however, with too many terrible homes for Astrid to endure. I don't believe that any state's foster home system could approve such people, or, if they did, that one child would land with so many weirdos. The mother is a fabulous eccentric and amoral character. Possibly she deserves a sequel.
Rating:
Summary: If you love Wally Lamb, you'll like Janet Fitch!
Review: This book held my interest, and kept me riveted until the very end. I wish at age 27 I could be as strong as Astrid was ages 12-21! The book was also a great character study, and Astrid learned a lot about herself and other types of people in every foster situation she experienced. The ending was beautiful. I loved how she literally transformed her life into art!I did find some fault with it, however. On the surface, it was intriguing to find out about how Astrid made it through the system, all of the adventures she encountered, etc. But I didn't buy the whole sexual scenario with Ray. It happened too early, and then she never seemed to have any other strong sexual desire, or aversion, until much later in the book. I would think a 14-year-old would be freaked out by a man who was that old, and who was "deformed". And, why did she pursue him, and pursue no one else but Sergei, through the rest of the book? And, as strongly as she felt about him, why didn't she go into deep depression when she didn't hear from him after she left Starr's? I'm not a psych expert, but there's a disconnect there. Also, there were some major events in the book that should have had longer-term effects on Astrid, but didn't.
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Summary: A rejected daughter is fascinated by her flighty mother
Review: Explores the precocious sexuality and "survivalism" of a young girl forced to live in orphanages and exposed to prostitution, drugs, etc, because of her slightly mad mother who kills a lover and goes to jail for life. The mother never seems to understand the meaning of love (or has no capacity for it) while the daughter goes through many personal and psychological changes and enlightenments in her search for self. She however does find love while the mother never seems to mature. gfarah@cablenett.net
Rating: 
Summary: This is sheer delight!
Review: White Oleander's effect on me is unparalelled. As a teenager, I have taken everything for granted in my life. The journey of the main character Astrid as a foster child deprived of love made me realize how lucky I am to have a supportive and stable family.Fitch's ingenious use of lyrical prose gave life and depth to her story. Also, I am truly impressed by her unique use of metaphors. This book is definitely a "must-read"!
Rating:
Summary: The Best.
Review: This novel was truly phenominal. It posed some very personal questions about life. Like that part where she questions the labels, about why people are called whores and prostitutes. I learned from that. Maybe I'm a bit young to read it (14) but I found that it had a lot to do with teens growing up. This is and will always be my favorite book.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting story but poor writing
Review: I found the concept to be interesting and in the hands of a more experienced writer, it could have been much better. I found many grammatical errors, syntax errors, glaring continuity errors, and sloppy punctuation. Where were the editors on this one? It ruined the book for me...I felt as if I were reading a book written by someone without a high school education.
Rating:
Summary: What happens next?
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. Very well written, touching story, although it felt like the author was rushing at the end, like someone trying to meet a deadline. Astrid's mother had the power to hypnotize, control her daughter all her life. Even from behind bars, with long accusing letters of judgement on what her daugther was doing, who her daughter was with making a 13 year old even more fragile than all kids are at this age. She did all she could to lower her daugther's self esteem, her sense of self. Astrid made it through 6 foster homes after being shot, starved and hurt. Astrid did find herself, first by wanting to just be a survivor then by becoming a fighter. I would love to know what happens next...?
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