Rating: 
Summary: Why? Why? Why?
Review: I've never seen Oprah go on about a book the way she went about White Oleandar. She called it 'liquid poetry' (I've should've known not buy it then) and said she was doing the audio. So I went out and bought it in hardback, finished it the next day, and am left wondering, what's wrong with Oprah? Astrid, the main character goes through too much suffering for no apparent reason--only to end up sharing a cold flat with another starving artist in Europe without one good sex scene. The rest of the characters are one-dimensional at best. Astrid's, mother Ingrid, the murderous, imprisoned poet is totally unbelievable--not because she's evil. (I know people far more evil and self centered) However Janet Fitch gives no credible reason for her antogonist's callousness--not one hint. I thought poet's were supposed to be sensitive people? If she's not than darn-it I want to know why? What's even worse, Ingrid defies every basic maternal instinct-- and again for no apparent reason. Was she raised among wolves? Where both her parents cross dresser who either ignored or beat her? Please tell me something Janet Fitch? I gave it two stars because I thought some of the characters Astrid encounters while staying in various group homes, such as the fat christian who shot her (if I think about it long enough it might be a political statement?). I'm not sure how to interpret the beautiful black prostitute that lives next door to Astrid while she's being forced into slave labor by white supremists. I'm also not sure how to intrepet the white supremcist' comment about Oprah being too fat, and rich--or something like that (I would find the page/sentence to quote but I can't look at the book again). But take my word for it--one bad person in the book called Oprah fat, and still she did the audio. I can never listen to the audio--I can't listen to someone insult themselves publicy and on tape. This is all so unecessary. At this point I like to quote a line from the film the Color Purple (where Mister is chasing away Celie's sister) Why! Why! Why! (adlib)--did the critics and Oprah tell me to buy this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Descriptive Prose Is Useless If One Has Nothing To Say
Review: I'm relieved to read many of the reviews of Janet Fitch's _White Oleander_. While it is true Fitch has a descriptive, "showing and not telling" quality to her work, she has no story-telling abilities whatsoever. I haven't been this depressed by a book... ever! I am depressed because I spent $12.00 on this book. I am depressed because such a gift of eloquence is being wasted. However, I am most depressed about the fact that I am near the final words of this book, and I can see no hope for closure. I have spent my time reading colourful and striking words that, just as Ingrid's poetry didn't reveal who she was, didn't make one bit of sense. This is no masterpiece. It is a facade... all smoke and mirrors. In the end, it's as satisfying as jello for dinner.
Rating: 
Summary: A beautifully written story
Review: Though I kept waiting for Astrid to wake up and smell the coffee or to pull out of her mother's dangerous spell...I believe it was the story's only tragic disappointment. However, it doesn't mean it was unrealistic-just tragic. The story itself was beautifully written. I'm definitely an intrigued fan of MS. Fitch.
Rating:
Summary: Somewhat Dissapointed
Review: Recently I began reading books from the Oprah bookclub. Some I could not put down other's I couldn't wait to finish, mostly because I was tired of them. "White Oleander" is one that I could not wait to finish. The first chapter of the book was excellent and enough to get me to purchase it; however, the more I read, the more boring it became. I got the point the Author was trying to make after the second home Astrid lived in. It was the relationship with the mother and daughter that intrigued me most and I must say I found the mother's character more interesting than Astrid herself. I wanted to enjoy this book so much but the only thing that kept me reading was the fact that my husband paid so much for it as a gift for me.
Rating:
Summary: Great Summer Reading!!!
Review: This book was impossible to put down. Janet Fitch puts you ringside with to watch and feel the emotional turmoil,exhilirating highs and devistating lows of the young, orphaned narrator. Oprah was right on, again!!!
Rating:
Summary: The most captivating book I've read in years.
Review: This portrait of a young girl and her relationship with her mother was facinating. The author tells of the girl's awe and admiration for her mother yet wanting more emotionally from her. Mother's can be magical to young children. This story deals with the perceived mother and the real one. The girl is tough. Deals with situations poorly and well at times. Typical of life. Don't we all like survivor's? She is constantly sorting out the facts that are fed to her, as we all do. The author describes situations so perfectly I could put myself there. That must be what some readers didn't like. Fairy tale endings are boring and unrealistic. This book has stayed with me like very few others I've read.
Rating:
Summary: Loved this book!!
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I live LA and know of many of the cities and areas Astrid has been in. Reading about places you are familar with is pretty cool. I was also raised all my life in foster homes so I can relate a little to that part too. I realized how lucky I was that I was taken in by a great family instead of being sent to a group home or MacLaren. I attended a workshop on Independant Living that was offered to foster kids and met so many kids that have been through a lot of bad stuff, first they are taken away from their birth parents or thrown away then get tossed around to the system some getting into worse stuff. I read reviews saying all this bad stuff is written for shock value,and it was too depressing, I dont know why so many are surprised ;just look at the cover you can get an idea what goes on in the book.
Rating:
Summary: One of the BEST Books I Have Ever Read.
Review: This book was outstanding from beginning to END! I have never read a book written like this...it was like reading a 400 page poem. The author writes in such a way that you feel the emotion which is being described: the anger, the sadness, the hurt, the confusion, the contentment....you feel for the characters at the same time feeling that you are that person in that particular situation. The author describes everything in such detail that it makes you see things in a different way; well done . can not wait for her next book.
Rating:
Summary: A conservative manifesto
Review: Anyone naive enough to believe that it takes a village to raise a child needs to read this book! I have always said that, in America, The Village eats children for lunch. This book illustrates the point beautifully. I work in the foster care system. Ms. Fitch's novel accurately portrays the damage that we cause to children in the system, though Astrid's travails are more dramatic.The story richly portrays the pitfalls of a left-leaning mentality. Astrid's mother is an unbearably pretentious feminist poet type. She cares only for herself, and when her daughter is being eaten alive by society she sits back and enjoys it. Along the way, everyone who claims to be the champion of children only ends up using Astrid for their own benefit. Meanwhile, the mother gains the undying support of feminists across the globe. They don't care that she's a killer. She's one of them and therefore above the law (an excellent parallel to the Clinton situation). This book has gained a considerable following among liberals. The irony is delicious! As for the writing, Bravo! Janet Fitch is a very skilled writer and an excellent framer of believable characters and plot lines. If this is the only book she ever writes, it will be enough to earn her a seat among the great writers of our time. I wish her great success and highly recommend White Oleander.
Rating:
Summary: Captures both Los Angeles 'feel' and a girl's wish to please
Review: I picked up this book at my local library after reading an excerpt on Amazon.com. Because I work more than 40 hours a week plus have a family, I read very few books for pleasure. This one, I just couldn't put down! First of all, the author very much captures the look, feel and even smells of Los Angeles--right down to the varieties of architecture. Then second, Astrid is the epitome of how girls in our society really try to fit in--regardless of how horrific their environment may be. Life has taught me over and over that "truth is stranger than fiction", so I don't agree with other readers that the many awful events that happened to Astrid strained the book's credibility. I also don't agree that the ending was weak! In fact, I reread it several times because I loved how Astrid had found a way to compartmentalize, express and thus redeem the various experiences of her life. And I think it's okay that we don't know how her relationships with her boyfriend and with her mother will work out! The best books end ambiguously, leaving the reader to imagine what happens next. This book will become a classic!
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