The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

[Jamie (The Perpetual Page-Turner)]

I'm reading this right now and I'd LOVE to discuss it with anyone who has read it.

I'm loving it so far!

[Lori, Super Mod]

I own this, but havent read it yet. Tho I have heard alot of differing opinions about it. Apparently its not a favorite for the male species :)

[Abigail (42stitches)]

*Semi spoiler, not much of a surprise though if you've ever read a synopsis...

I'm curious now...what about it would males not like much I wonder...?


I read this back in December. I liked it pretty well. I always used to think I wanted to take a road trip like that. But as much as I like spontaneity, I couldn't start my life over like that without some kind of plan...

[JG (Introverted Reader)]

I loved this book. I fell in love with little Turtle. Do you know that Pigs in Heaven is a sequel? I didn't like it as well, but it was nice to check back in with some great characters.

[Jamie (The Perpetual Page-Turner)]

I did hear that it was the sequel. I'm going to have to find it somewhere. I LOVED Turtle..and I want to see her grow more.

[Vicki]

I really want to pick this up again. I started it and I had to return it at the library, but I ending up buying it and never getting into it. I was immediately drawn into the story line and definitely plan to pick it up once I am done teaching for they year. I loved the voice and the writing style.

[Mosca]

I read it about ten years ago, and really liked it.

Also, I feel that Pigs in Heaven is a really necessary sequel. Jamie, you will not only get to see more of Turtle, you will also meet her people.

[Tracy]

I've read both The Bean Treesand Pigs in Heavenand loved both of them. I really liked Pigs in Heavenbest because they discussed the issue about the Cherokee nation not allowing outside adoptions. It is not really a sequel to The Bean Treesbut it does have the same characters. I love Kingsolver's books. I have yet to read Animal Dreams and Prodigal Summer

[O2]

I read the Bean Trees years ago, its not the sort of book I would normally read so although I quite enjoyed it I never read another one of Kingsolver's. Maybe I should. Which is the best one to read after Bean Trees?

[Tracy]

Old2new wrote: "I read the Bean Trees years ago, its not the sort of book I would normally read so although I quite enjoyed it I never read another one of Kingsolver's. Maybe I should. Which is the best one to re..."

I would go ahead and read Pigs in Heaven but you definitely also should read The Poisonwood Bible.

[JG (Introverted Reader)]

Definitely pick up Prodigal Summer A Novel. It's a beautiful book.

[Coco]

I read Bean Trees, Animal Dreams, and Pigs in Heaven many years ago, but they're still among my favorite books. Prodigal Summer has an interesting home "cure" for vertigo, something my friend suffers from. I keep telling her she should read the book since I can't quite remember how the remedy works.

[Sharon]

Prodigal Summer is a cure for vertigo ? - that is interesting!
Sharon

[Tom]

Jamie wrote: "I'm reading this right now and I'd LOVE to discuss it with anyone who has read it.

I'm loving it so far!

"

I read it years ago but it stays with me. What struck me was the strange twists and turns the characters' personalities take as they go through their lives. I also loved the way she evoked that world. Great descriptions.

What do you think of the main character?

[Marci]

Poisonwood Bible is one of my all time favorite books!!! I liked Bean Trees and Prodigal Summer too.

[Shannon]

I really enjoyed bean trees, less so pigs in heaven. I am one of the rare minority that did not love Poisonwood bible and happened to read bean trees afterwards without realizing it was the same author. I found them to be so totally different. Will pick up Prodigal Summer, thanks for the tip.

(What I loved about Bean trees were the characters, it really is a character driven book).

[Joanie]

I loved this book and really liked Pigs in Heaven too. I couldn't get through Prodigal Summer though-that book was pure torture for me and unfortunately it's made me stay away from other Kingsolver books.

[JG (Introverted Reader)]

Shannon wrote: "I am one of the rare minority that did not love Poisonwood bible and happened to read bean trees afterwards without realizing it was the same author. I found them to be so totally different."

I'm with you on this one. I really, really disliked Poisonwood Bible. So maybe you'll like Prodigal Summer. I thought it was just fantastic.