Has anyone here read "Prodigal Summer" by Barbara Kingsolver?

Flaxbee

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Sat Jun-02-07 10:56 PM
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Has anyone here read "Prodigal Summer" by Barbara Kingsolver?

Are there any horrible scenes of suffering, by man or animal? I can't cope with suffering now, real or imagined. I want a good book, but just an interesting story or something funny, please, no grief and sadness and stress. Too much in my *real* life right now.

So - any advice on the book? Or any other recommendations?

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Lex

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Sat Jun-02-07 11:01 PM
Response to Original message

1. I absolutely fell in love with this book.

It is beautifully written and I just fell into it.

The story is not funny, but it isn't a sad book either.

It ends on a decidedly positive note.

It is one of those books that became a part of me somehow, if that makes sense.

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Flaxbee

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Sat Jun-02-07 11:08 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. thank you. I have been walking around it for a week or two...

I have read much of her other fiction: The Bean Trees, Pigs in Heaven, Animal Dreams, The Poisonwood Bible and have enjoyed all of them in the last few years. But the mention on the back cover of Prodigal Summer of a coyote family, a hunter, etc., made me a little nervous.

I'll start it tonight, then. Thanks again - I'm just a little raw, emotionally, now and stressed out about work and while I want good writing and a good story, I do NOT want anything that will be a downer. Same with movies - I want to see The Last King of Scotland and a few others, but am saving them for later.

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Lex

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Sat Jun-02-07 11:18 PM
Response to Reply #2

3. I understand.

:pals:

It's been about a year since I read it, but I don't remember it being as sad as her other books. I do remember the ending being positive. And I remember feeling good about the whole book. My favorite of hers so far.

By the way, I just finished her first non-fiction book "Animal Vegetable Miracle" and it was just stellar. http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/

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Flaxbee

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Sat Jun-02-07 11:22 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. I've heard great things about Animal Vegetable... too...

will probably try to order it soon. She wrote about it in the latest Mother Jones, I think (I only read a snippet at the bookstore). Sounds interesting and knowing her, it will be extremely well-written.

Thanks again! :hi:

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