Rating: 
Summary: Not a book for the shallow mind
Review: They say a good book will keep you entertained, but a great book changes you. That is the case with White Oleander by Janet Fitch. Much like some people you will encounter in life, some characters drift in, draw you close to them, and drift out. Yet, while they are there, they will challenge your perceptions and leave their mark on you. If you are not willing to view life from a different angle, and if you are not capable of seeing beauty, even when it's not pretty, then you will not enjoy this book. However, if you are not a person to turn bitter in the face of life's disappointments, and are not afraid to take a close look at your own life, then I can promise you a fascinating, uplifting, intellectual read. With poetic lines, humor, moments of pure joy and heart wrenching sorrow, Janet Fitch has her finger firmly placed on the pulse of humanity.
Rating: 
Summary: "The romans were right..."
Review: There wasn't a moment within this book that I wasn't a complete slave to the beautiful words. I finished the novel in two days, only because at one point, I put the book down, infuriated at the pile-up of injustices. I felt as if I were suffocating with Astrid's traumas. There are moments of fresh air, only to be revoked by more of the unthinkable. But I had to know what happened at the end.
It's a wonderful book. Solid and hearty. Each character is so well portayed I wonder if Ms. Fitch has a case of multiple personalities. I truly applaud this writers hefty endeavor.
Rating:
Summary: Can I give this maybe 12 stars?
Review: This is simply one of the best books I have read in a very long time. I read it on one recommendation, and I was disappointed and at the same time uplifted when I finished. The main character, Astrid, is the best modern protagonist on the literary scene, and Janet Fitch's writing is bitterly beautiful and cooly incisive. Get the hardback.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Miss
Review: This is an outstanding novel - it is extremely well-written and engrossing. It will make you think about life, how you got to where you are now, and your relationships (past and present).
I cannot recommend this book highly enough - read it!
Rating:
Summary: Disturbing, yet beautiful
Review: Astrid is the daughter of Ingrid, an irresponsible woman who thinks poetry, art, and living her life however she wants is more important than giving her daughter some security. When Ingrid is jilted by a swarthy guy, she crosses the Mexico border to purchase a medication that, when used in junction with the beautiful but poisonous white oleander flowers, kills him instantly. After Ingrid is arrested and sentenced to prison, Astrid is left to face horrible conditions and circumstances in various foster homes; an affair with her 1st foster Mom's 40-something boyfriend leads her to be shot at, her next home finds her being mauled by a pit bull. When she finally finds a loving home to go to, unrest between the spouses leads to heartbreaking results for Astrid. Another home padlocks the refridgerator and practically starves the girls while they are forced to sell items, sometimes their own personal possessions, for money. Through it all, Astrid's pathetic excuse for a mother writes to her from prison. "Stop complaining", she says. "If they're not beating you, consider yourself lucky." Ingrid was the main reason I couldn't re-read this book for a while. She is the most selfish, irresponsible woman you'd ever meet. It's Astrid's amazing ability to take away at least one piece of beauty from every rotten scenario and use it to grow that will amaze you. That, and Fitch's fantastic and beautiful writing; her use of metaphors is unbelieveable. If you're not up for a grim read, you might want to hold off on this book. But if your willing, you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: great but depressing novel
Review: I just finished reading it and I read the 400+ page book in a week. The descriptions are vivid and it's as if you know the characters, every single on of them. Not one is left out or underestimated. The story is a winding road of pitfalls and triumphs. The relationship between Ingrid and Astrid is unsual but compelling and extrememly interesting. Although overall the novel is quite depressing, it's a definite page turner and stunningly written.
Rating:
Summary: read it
Review: the best piece of literature i have ever read
Rating:
Summary: Harrowing
Review: This book is quite well-written and it pulled me in from beginning to end. But do I LIKE it? I don't know. I have no children and Astrid's world and that of her mother, Ingrid, are ones I hope and pray none of my nieces or nephews ever encounter. But I was engrossed with every horrific moment of the story; sorry, but I found nothing uplifting about it. It felt like watching those planes going into those buildings over and over again on the news. It's powerful stuff---and I'm repelled by it.
Rating:
Summary: An engrossing story of love, betrayal and transformation
Review: This novel grabbed me right from the very beginning. Janet Fitch's descriptions of the main character, Ingrid Magnussen, as the cold, cryptic, self centered mother of this story are stunningly realistic and artfully written. She is a character that is hard to imagine.
The narration by her daughter,Astrid, is heartbreakingly realistic as the rejected, scared, broken child who is left to struggle through a series of foster homes. The cast of characters that come into Astrid's life are unique in their quirkiness but similar in their desire to get something out of Astrid's situation. It is very moving to read about this child's loneliness and sadness as she is taken from foster home after foster home. Yet through each experience she learns how to protect herself in this life. In the end, she truly believes that she is not worthy of going to someone who truly could love her and provide a good home for her.
We hear from her mother through a series of letters that are sent to Astrid. It is in the end, that Astrid finally feels that her mother loves her when she makes a choice not to exploit Astrid in order to free herself.
Fitch has created a story that will get your attention from the first sentence and send the reader on a journey that rollercosters them through all their emotions and leaves them feeling satisfied with the outcome if not queasy from the ride.
Rating:
Summary: Not your average summer beach read
Review: This book is enjoyable not only because of the detailed descriptions which the author helps to paint a picture in your mind, but the story is absolutely engrossing. The characters in the book are well-developed and the situations are completely illustrated through words. I would tend to recommend this book for women over men, as the situations the main character faces can more easily be recognized by a female audience.
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