pixelfaler's Full Review: Barbara Kingsolver - Bean Trees
An elderly, deeply religious, friend of mine ordered The Bean Trees several years ago from the church publishing company. Upon completion, she denounced the book as "not something the Church should be putting out." Well, I had to read it after that! I had already read and sobbed over The Poisonwood Bible, a bit of artistry that placed Barbara Kingsolver's name on my list of new favorite authors to read.
I had expected another thick novel, akin to The Poisonwood Bible, but was surprised at this slight trade paperback that I plucked off the shelf. Took me two days of bedtime sittings to finish the book and I found myself in total shock that someone would find offense with it at all.
Her main character manages to preserve her values in a town where it was not uncommon to be a teen mother and takes off in a beat-up VW Bug in search of her own life. In the middle of nowhere, a stranger hands her a child. She could've gone to the police (I probably would have), but instead, she takes care of the child as her own. She settles in Arizona and begins life as a single mother. She meets people and makes friends-----and she learns more about life and the world outside of her own than she bargained for. This book, while having plenty of political and social commentary (which I love, because it makes for great discussion) also has plenty to say about the human spirit, friendship and love. I think it rather brilliant that the Church would put this on its recommended reading list. I've loaned it to my own pre-teen daughter.
Yes, Kingsolver's setting is quite dated, but I found that to be an asset to her story, as it helps to punch home the universality of the truths brought forth in her story. And yes, given the context of the story, you are bound to run into aspects of the story that are racial----just like Huckleberry Finn-----the story was penned in the context of the setting. It wouldn't be authentic without that. Does that mean that there's advocation for that sort of behavior? Of course not.
The Bean Trees offers hope for humanity and whether you're a fan of fiction or a fan of history, there is something to be gained by giving The Bean Trees a try.
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