The Bean Trees : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Very good book!
Review: This book is deceptive. It starts out a bit slowly, but suddenly you find yourself really caring about Taylor & Turtle and really wanting to know how things will turn out. I really loved this book and its sequel PIGS IN HEAVEN. It really deserves more than 4 stars but not quite 5.

Rating:
Summary: A good summer read!
Review: I was torn between 4 stars and 5. This is a good book. Very entertaining. I read it right after "Where the Heart Is" and I am having trouble keeping the 2 apart in my mind. However, this book was better. buy it and bring it on vacation!

Rating:
Summary: Like a kind friend smiling at you.
Review: I was moving from Tucson to Buffalo, perched in a Pennsylvania motel, when I "found" Barbara Kingsolver on a Public TV program about her. Friends couldn't understand why I hadn't already discovered the loving quality of her writing, but I'm hooked now. Last weekend I had to do some travelling, so took along "Bean Trees" for the flights. I laughed and laughed and rolled my eyes and just marvelled at her gentle, but probing, irony, her insight into those large and little cruelties that all of us share in life, and her straight-on, look-you-in-the-eye attitude about just how you have to deal with the next day. This is an easy read but is in no way a small book. I was there with Taylor in Oklahoma, I wept for her for the burden of the abandoned child that she so lovingly accepted, I wanted to meet Mattie right then(!), and I missed the desert that I loved, just because she reminded me of its power just as if she'd been talking next to me. If you don't know, or aren't sure about Kingsolver, borrow a copy of her "Animal Dreams". Read the two pages that make up the chapter "The Flood". You'll know.

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful story delightfully written
Review: This is a wonderful book, I was captivated immediately and couldn't put it down until I was finished. The characters are so real, the plot so touching, the writing style so refreshing, and the details are so incredible - it's an amazing book.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite book!
Review: I absolutly love this book. Turtle and the rest of the gang are a part of me as I fell in love with the story. It's so simple and it always makes me smile. A true winner.

Rating:
Summary: Worth reading twice ( I have)
Review: I can never say enough good things about Barbara Kingsolver's writing. When I've finished one of her books, I feel like my life has been enhanced. She serves up a wonderful blend of believable characters, witty description, subtle humor, and compelling social issues. Hers is a voice that definitely speaks to me. I recommend this book to anyone who has high standards when it comes to searching for books worthy of your time. (And if you liked this one, you must also read Kingsolver's PIGS IN HEAVEN.)

Rating:
Summary: with a little help form the beans
Review: this book addresses a lot of issues never adequetly addressed before. i read it last year for a term paper and i loved it. it is a great book for anyone who likes to read about current issues and think about what they have just read.

Rating:
Summary: Poorly written
Review: The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver was unwillingly rammed down my throat to read by my english teacher. This book was awful. After reading it twice, once for plot, the second for inspection. I realized how ashamed Kingsolver should be for writing such an atrocity. There was absolutely no detail put into such fine details as how she escapes with this indian baby. At a glance, for uncaring readers this book may be alright. But if you cannot stand the fine line between reality, and how fake the authors reality is. You honestly want to throw-up your lunch after reading this.

Rating:
Summary: I really didn't enjoy this book!
Review: I really didn't enjoy this. I don't know why either. Many of my friends have read it, and loved it! I am not into these types of books though. I prefer crime and mystery novels.

Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: I read this book in my English class. The title was certianly quite unattrative, but when you start reading it you know this book is very special. The essence of this book is based on the interconnection between humans, and how each of the character reacts and acts differnetly towards their lives and matters. I realized the tile "Bean Trees" have a significant meaning after all. At the end of the book the relationship bewteen a legume and some bugs are mentioned. They depend on each other to survive, just like Taylor and Turtle, Taylor and Lou Ann, and Edna and Virgie...etc. This book is great!