Rating: 
Summary: Disapointed
Review: Pigs in Heaven was the first Kingsolver novel I read, and I was disapointed. Although the first couple chapters pulled me in, the development of the plot and characters seemed contrived, unrealistic and flat. Turtle was an exception -- I thought her interesting and better developed than the other characters. The plot kept me off guard, and didn't seem to flow naturally and the conclusion, although I love happy endings, seemed unrealistic and abrupt.
Rating: 
Summary: The best read I've had in a long time
Review: I'm addicted to reading and often manage to finish several books a month. If a book doesn't grab me after a few chapters I don't persist, I go on with the next one. Pigs in Heaven took me a couple of chapters to get into it, but from then on I was hooked, I couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. I've since started reading Animal Dreams which has also taken a couple of chapters to gain my attention and now, it too, has me engrossed. I like Barbara Kingsolver's writing, for me it flows and she's very clever and colourful with her descriptions.
Rating: 
Summary: Family and miracles
Review: I thought Pigs in Heaven had an extravagant manipulation of the plot, which held the reader not wanting to let go of the book. Like the reader from Allentown High School mentioned, I was not instantly intrigued by the book, but as I got more into it, I didn't want to stop reading it. The language was descriptive and explantory in a mature manner. Kingslover could get her point across very successfully without many padded words. After reading the book, I realized there were many things i had misconceptions about, like the Ckerokee people and their culture. I found that I could relate to the character's problems in my own way through the author's fascinating ways of drawing the reader into their lives. Each character had a different kind of problem but they were problems everyone can relate to eventually. If you want to read about a family nearly torn apart by conflicting backgrounds and in the end coming together through miracles and love, then this is the book for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as Good as Poisonwood Bible...
Review: Taylor Greer adopts an abandoned Cherokee girl, aged 3, and names her Turtle. A strange incident at the Hoover Dam thrusts Taylor and Turtle temporarily into the limelight and they appear on the Oprah Show, where they are noticed by Annawake Fourkiller, a lawyer and member of the Cherokee Nation. Annawake decides that Turtle belongs among the Cherokee people rather than being raised by a white woman, and thus begins Taylor's panicked flight to escape the prospect of losing Turtle. Some very interesting characters inhabit the book, but none of them are particularly realistic. Taylor is relatively normal, but the others are somewhat off-center. Taylor's boyfriend Jax, is a rather unsuccessful musician, her mother Alice just left her second husband because he watches too much TV, and the Cherokee clan that is trying to reclaim Turtle is something else! In spite of the fact that the characters are bizarre, the plot was interesting if somewhat contrived; and any mother could relate with Taylor's fear of losing custody of her daughter. I read this book after reading Barbara Kingsolver's most recent novel, Poisonwood Bible, and was somewhat disappointed at the character development in Pigs in Heaven. Of course, they are completely different novels, but I felt she did a much better job of creating believable characters in Poisonwood.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring through the fantastic
Review: I have seen many harsh reviews of this book, but as someone who read it in the midst of a comprehensive survey of Native American literature, which lasted for two years, I must speak out in favor of Barbara Kingsolver's bravery in using levity, and at times, almost fantastic twists of fate to represent her Native and Euro-American characters as equally flawed, and equally open to the forces that rule the universe. I enjoy Kingsolver's use of the "small world theory" in bringing Alice and Cash together as much as I enjoy her realism in pitting Annawake and Taylor against one another. I think that her ability to mix serious topics with simple human interest is unique and compelling. This novel, in my opinion, was a worthy follow up to "The Bean Trees," a masterpiece of contemporary American literature.
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining but mediocre novel
Review: Barbara Kingsolver develops her characters with much thought and consideration, and this comes out when reading Pigs In Heaven. I enjoyed getting to know each character's unique personality, and the way that the relationships were formed. The plot, however, is sooooooo contrived that I am giving it a "just-okay" rating. If you are willing to take a stab at a novel, keeping in mind that it represents the EPITOME of fiction and dream-land, then try this one. It IS entertaining...it's just a little "too much" for me in terms of it's cheesy ending.
Rating:
Summary: Try Another
Review: This is my first Kingsolver novel and frankly, I was not impressed. Though it is well-written, it did not hold my attention. Unrealistic characers, contrived plot, and comical situations made me struggle to finish it. I'll have to try another book.
Rating:
Summary: Well written, touching story
Review: My wife finshed this book when we were standed in an airport. We don't often like the same books, but this was one that we both agreed was enjoyable. I agree with the reviewer who called it a fable due to the unbelievable coincidences. But taken as such I found the relationship between grandmother and daughter interesting. Also from a male perspective the willingness to give up all for Turtle that the daughter had was inspiring. Lastly I found the Cherokee culture in Oklahoma depictions fascinating, I don't know enough to know whether they were accurate or not. I think the strongest praise I can give is that I bought the Bean Trees, and I am eagerly looking for a used copy of The Poisonwood Bible.
Rating:
Summary: A well-written book
Review: A summer reading assignment for my junior year of high school, I instantly fell in love with the book. A poignant story about a Caucasian woman and the little Cherokee girl she had adopted, it is an excellent example of what makes a great parent:not just genes and chromosomes, but the willingness to give 110% to raising and shaping a young life. A definite must read for all, young and old!
Rating:
Summary: Read the book just for fun
Review: An easy to read and enjoyable book but nothing to knock your socks off. The book moved along and kept my interest. It must be read with the idea that it is fiction, almost a fable, because there is a lot in this book that is pretty unbelievable. For example, the coincidence of relationships among the characters, the highly romanticized vision of family and life on the reservation, the lack of forethought and wisdom of the main character on the run with her daughter and the everything neatly tied together ending. This book certainly delves into social issues pertinent to our times and does give pause for thought but is disappointing with respect to these issues because of the ending. Read the book for fun.
|
