White Oleander : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: wow
Review: I bought this book at a Airport book store and couldn't put it down! Astrid is a real tough character, who bounces around to different foster homes.

Rating:
Summary: Like a Siren Song
Review: This rich and provocative novel is an absolutely fantastic read. The beautiful, vivid imagery enhances the survival story of Astrid Magnussen, a teenage girl in foster care who is trying to find her identity amidst unbelievable circumstances. The story is flawlessly written, and Astrid's experience stirs up an awareness of the human condition. All of the characters are so incredibly different, but at the same time are hauntingly real. I loved this book from the very first page, and I highly recommend reading it.

Rating:
Summary: Read the book first then watch the movie!!
Review: Movies rarely make exactly like a book, and this is no exception, but I think that in order to get a glimpse into the meaning of the movie the book has to be read first. First, Michelle Pfieffer is a dead ringer of her character, Ingrid. It took some patience for me to get through the whole book because everything is very descriptive from the weather, to the the places, to the characters, and especially to the feelings and thoughts of Astrid. This book gives insight into the foster system and how it shapes a person. One doesn't have control of where they might live from day to day and whether or not they might eat. But its also about the bond of a mother and daughter, one that is hard to break or sometimes to even bend. Its about control and the consequences of your choices.

Rating:
Summary: Tragic....Terrific
Review: book protrays a manipulative, controlling mother and a daughter who is trying to break away from her influences and find her way in the brutal, cruel world she finds herself thrust into. This book is a mind-grabber, a must read for everyone from young adult on up!!

Rating:
Summary: Terrific
Review: This is a fantastic book. I couldn't put it down. I loved how this book was several stories put into one book. It is an epic of survival and love. I can't wait to see the movie. But I have a feeling that the movie won't be half as good as the book.

Rating:
Summary: READ THIS BEFORE YOU SEE THE MOVIE!
Review: or even if you've already seen the movie! I have just a few pages left and can't wait to finish it. I made the mistake of seeing the movie first, yet the book goes much more into Astrid's feelings, especially her attachment to claire...but you'll have to read the book to find out about that!
don't think twice about getting this book, believe me, you won't regret it

Rating:
Summary: Impressive!
Review: This book will almost certainly be a modern classic. Ingrid as the self-absorbed, controlling mother was so real it was almost scary. Astrid's journey through foster care was sad but emotionally balanced. Fitch didn't vilify any of her characters, rather, showed us surprisingly complex people, with their own particular needs and issues. This resulted in a book that basically told it like it is, without becoming too dark or depressive. I highly recommend this for both private reading and a book club

Rating:
Summary: A haunting and powerful read
Review: This book is amazing - Janet Fitch keeps you hanging on until the final page - I was completely unable to put it down!, and it stayed with me for days when I was done. I became completely absorbed by Astrid's life, wanting to know what would happen to her next - she experiences the ultimate highs and lows on her journey that very often had me smiling and crying with her. What she goes through is depressing, dark, amusing, uplifting, and altogether incredible, and it never goes beyond the realm of believability. I haven't seen the film yet, but I can only hope that it does this book justice. A must-read for anyone!

Rating:
Summary: waste of time
Review: This book is easy to put down. There is no excitment or any anticipation in it. It is a well written B O R E ,

Rating:
Summary: Mixed emotions
Review: Well, I will say that I do feel a great deal of mixed emotions after reading this novel. You may be a bit tired of similes and metaphors after reading the book, but let me add one more: reading this book is a painful shot in the arm that you can't wait to be over and done with. You feel a little relief and realize that it was necessary, but, my gosh, did it have to be so painful.
The book is sad and dreary, but I did find Astrid to be an intriguing character that one could actually "pull" for while reading. (Although, we already know that nothing good is going to come. Astrid always forewarns us of upcoming danger each time it is about to happen). Her self-discovery through the various foster homes in Los Angeles and the picture she paints with each episode is a life lesson. But, like others who have reviewed have noted, this does seem to be a stereotyped portrayel of ruthless and mean-spirited foster parents who always betray Astrid either physically, emotionally or psychologically. (Are foster homes really that bad?)
I felt a lack of compassion for Ingrid. Ingrid was quite annoying, with her "I'm better than the world" attitude about everything, her artistic and poetic expressions to justify murder and self-centeredness. I wished Astrid would have just told her to "shut up" and walked out of her life, but it never happened.
I realize there is a lesson to be learned, and I know the book's main focus is self-discovery and survival, but it was quite a long journey. And a sad one.