1988 – Barbara Kingsolver’s debut novel The Bean Trees
was the start of a great career. This is a writer with mad skills. I’ve loved
her writing through the years, but somehow had never read this book.
Taylor’s goal in life growing up poor in Kentucky was to
avoid pregnancy and move away. She succeeds – saves to buy a car and heads west
after high school. In a weird circumstance, she becomes the guardian of a baby
girl. The two make it to Tucson, meet Mattie, the owner of a car repair shop,
and Taylor has a job, a friend, and a new life. Mattie also runs a safe-house
for Central American refugees. Keep in mind, this story was written in 1988,
but seems fresh and current for today’s world.
Plenty of rich characters inhabit this book, and the baby
girl, nicknamed Turtle, is a healing force in all of their lives and a tie
that binds them together. This is a novel about love and friendship,
abandonment and belonging, and discovery. (cover blurb) You’ll root for Taylor
and Turtle and keep turning the pages of The Bean Trees.
Some stick through the ages, sounds like a good one. Sad a lot of that stuff is still going on today though.
ReplyDeleteyep, and will keep on going on at this rate.
DeleteIt does sound relevant. Thanks for pointing out another gem in literature, Joanne.
ReplyDeleteI like books with interesting characters. This sounds like a good one.
ReplyDelete