Bean Trees: Amazon.ca: Barbara Kingsolver: Books

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First Sentence
I have been afraid of putting air in a tire ever since I saw a tractor tire blow up an throw Newt Hardbine's father over the top of the Standard Oil sign. Read the first page

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Customer Reviews

323 Reviews

5 star:		(149)
4 star:		(94)
3 star:		(31)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(29)

Average Customer Review

4.0 out of 5 stars (323 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars One of the most beautiful books I've ever read, July 22 2004

By

"k_hoyak" (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada) - See all my reviews

Ce commentaire est de: Bean Trees (Mass Market Paperback)

Barbara Kingsolver has an uncanny understanding of human nature. The characters in this novel are by no way perfect, and if you knew them personally, you would be able to list off exactly what makes them drive you crazy. That is what I love about them. The symbolism is beautiful, and her language is brilliant. I find myself speaking like I'm from Kentucky if I read for too long (this is quite a feat, being from prairie Manitoba). I very strongly recommend this book to those who have felt trapped in their surroundings, and who long for a community of friends with an ounce of analysis, conviction and honor. If you have ever been convinced that every person around you is nuts, this book will help you find humour and empathy in your situation, rather than fear. I find I can relate to these characters on a more personal level than in her equally, if not more brilliant, "Poisonwood Bible". That book, based on her literary skill alone, was one of the greatest works I've ever read, but it tore out my heart. But I'm finding "Bean Trees" to be a story I would share with my children. To sum it up: this book will make you smile.
The reason I gave the book 4 stars is because I would have appreciated a more positive male influence in the novel. However, I understand that the lack thereof is due to the main character's overwhelming exposure to men who are not worth any effort of personal association. For that, Kingsolver is forgiven.
Next on my list: Pigs in Heaven.
This book was my first purchase based on my newly developed customer review technique: when I can't decide whether I want to purchase a book or not, I read the lowest ratings first. If the reviewers are illiterate, inarticulate knobs, then I can conclude with relative certainty that the book will be worth reading. If the lowest reviews are prepared with thought and careful analysis by mature readers, then I hesitate on my purchase until I can find a copy of the book and page through it myself. To frequent Amazon shoppers: this technique works! Unless, of course, you are one of the illiterate inarticulate knobs mentioned previously. Then I don't recommend you follow my example.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Aimless, drifting plot lost this reader., Dec 14 2001

By

S. A. Farley "sally1590" (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

Ce commentaire est de: Bean Trees (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading The Poisonwood Bible, I decided to read some of her other works. The story started out with promise - a young woman on here way to anywhere is handed an unwanted child. Taylor's character was plucky and quirky enough to keep me interested.

Once she finds a destination to settle in, Tuscon, AZ, the plot begins to meander without much conflict to stir things up. I usually go by the "fifty page rule" - if I'm not totally involved by page fifty, I stop reading. In this case, I got halfway through the book - over a hundred pages before I gave up and quit reading.

As this was written well before the Poisonwood Bible, one can see a dramatic improvement from The Bean Trees to her more recent works.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars It's all down hill from the Poisonwood Bible., April 24 2001

By

Amanda Bradley (Edmonds, Washington) - See all my reviews

Ce commentaire est de: Bean Trees (Mass Market Paperback)

The first book I read of Barbara Kingsolver's was The Poisonwood Bible. It was so good that I decided to read more of her stuff. Unfortunately, it's all down hill from there folks. Poisonwood is fabulous and I've not found her other books to be any where near as good. In fact I read The Bean Trees a few months ago and I really can't remember much about it. Barbara Kingsolver is a talented writer, but this one just didn't hit the mark for me.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The Bean Trees: Metaphors and Similies
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver is a book rich in metaphors and similes. It is a story about a young girl who escapes her small town, where most young people drop out of... Lisez davantage

Published on July 15 2004 by Teresa Owen

2.0 out of 5 stars Not too good.
This book was not to interesting for me because of the plot.It started out interesting when they found Turtle but after that it got boring. Nothing else interesting happend.

Published on July 14 2004 by Patrick