Cf. Marilynne Robinson, similar radiance of prose, a good bit more sparkle, if a bit less depth. And a Faulknerian sadness of misaligned relationships, agonizingly poor judgments and decisions, and a certain painful humor withal.
Lengthy paragraphs, many with a punch at the end.
Themes of hope and sadness at lost opportunities. She “dramatizes the discourses — science, religion, politics, sociology — that claim to interpret these effects.” ~ Nick Coles
“What I like best is how perceptive Kingsolver is about hierarchies of concern, and how those hierarchies come to be constructed and reinforced, as well as how they crumble and shift.” ~ Megan Baxter
And the similes! Many varieties: humorous, pointed, helpful, arbitrary, ouch, illuminating,
Title 680, 3900, 5600, 6060, 6070, 6615, 7111, 7261
You have to read her slowly to absorb the nuanced settings and appreciate the cleverness and beauty.
Notes:
ecology, climate, environment
Bible
Haha
Ouch - self esteem
Simile, simile-metaphor, haha simile
Uh-oh
Title resonance: book and chapters
Poverty, economics
Gender roles
2 worlds
Themes and connections:
Science v. Media, ignorance
Media - role, ethics, economics
Nature - ecology, climate change, v. Man and civilization,
Education - access and meaning, who knows what, sports v. college
ignorance v. Doing - the one judges the other harshly
Economics: costs and values, structures and needs, poverty and inequality,
Poverty - intellectual, privilege, economic, spiritual
Inequality - 2 worlds
Religion - Bible, Nature, Science
Relationships - to family, in-laws, friends, community, church,
Family - marriage, children, gender roles
Community - disturbed by the butterflies, scientists, media, economics
Ecstasy - “one part rapture” p. 1 & loc. 6542 “The word that rose in her thoughts was partnership, and it thrilled and sent her reeling as such thoughts did, in a life spent flying from pillar to post.” Loc. 6065: she’s always looking for something better in a relationship and believes rapturously, thrillingly, ecstatically, that the next one will be *the one*. Also 4290, 4790, 6070,
I became a Cub man! Finally, in Chapter 13, loc. 6464-6474
And ““It wasn’t all a waste,” she told him over and over, holding on. Some things they got right, she was sure of that. The children.” Ch. 14, loc. 7111.
