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Reading Room:  Barbara Kingsolver...  |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 4:59:36 PM
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I began The Poisonwood Bible and I hated the parents so much, I just couldn't read it. I won't divulge too much, but at the most negative part in the book, I set it down, and returned it to my friend. Some things are too sad for me to even think about, even if they are fiction. Anyone else read this book?
Now, I am on to Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. So far, I am enjoying it. I read a lot of the Amazon reviews and a lot of people describe it as 'preachy'. Did anyone else feel that? I'm not feeling that....
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 5:58:58 PM
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I didn't like that book too much either but I love her other books. The Bean Trees, Pigs in Heaven, Animal Dreams, Prodigal Summer - all wonderful reads. Barbara Kingsolver has always been a passionate environmentalist. She wrote two books of essays that address that.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 7:59:27 PM
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I love all of her books and took a long time to read (stopped once as well..but went back and read it later on) Poisonwood Bible. I know what you mean..but still it was a good book when I did finally read the whole thing. I LOVE Animal Vegetable Miracle..ready to re-read it now. As far as being preachy...guess you don't feel that way as much if you really beleive in what the person is "preaching". And I do.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Cindy Lou
True Blue Farmgirl
2325 Posts
Susan
Lonsdale
MN
USA
2325 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 8:06:23 PM
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I seldom stop reading a book in the middle, but Poisonwood Bible was one of those few. I
am about halfway through Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and am really enjoying it. If a person isn't already interested in eating locally produced food it could seem to be "preachy". I've found some really good information and enjoy the family's journey.
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver |
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britchickny
True Blue Farmgirl
1048 Posts
Angie
Port Orange
Florida
1048 Posts |
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textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2010 : 03:55:17 AM
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I, too, started the PW years ago and couldn't get through it. I loved AVM and didn't find it preachy at all. I want to read her books of essays about the environment. If you didn't like the parents in PW, don't read The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. It's non-fiction and the parents were totally negligent and self centered. It made me so angry. Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
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4forMe
True Blue Farmgirl
166 Posts
Dawn
Easton
MD
166 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2010 : 06:41:19 AM
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I read the Poisonwood Bible but it wasn't my favorite Barbara Kingsolver book. I've read all of her books except the newest one that just came out. My fave is Prodigal Summer. I loved that one.
Sewing, knitting, gardening mom of 5. |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2010 : 09:17:26 AM
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Thanks for the information. I just couldn't finish PW, I think because some of the people in the story paralleled too close to my own life. It was very well written...I suppose that it should be considered a good book still because if a book invokes such deep feelings...
Anyway, I am also enjoying AVM. I think that people find it preachy because they are not living that life. Some people complained that it didn't tell you how to do things, like how, specifically, they grew their garden, etc. Well.....no one said this was a 'how-to' book. This is a journey for their family over the course of a year, with interesting tidbits thrown in. Apparently, a lot of people enjoyed 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' more. TOD is a good book, but it really can't compare to AVM, because it is more of an investigative book, not a journal. Plus, I will be honest, I skimmed over a lot of TOD, especially through about the first 1/2 of the book. I just don't do 'wordy' books...but, Pollan is a very good writer and I really did enjoy the latter 1/2 of the book.
So, I am reading AVM and seeing myself...a lot. I guess I enjoy it so much because I see myself in the author. I just can't imagine it being 'preachy' unless your mindset is that just because you live in the city, in an apartment, you can't grow/source your own food. Poppycock, I say!!! If you have access to sunlight, you can grow at least part of your own food. I have had a garden everywhere I have lived, and that is the God's-honest-truth, ever since I was 19. If people would 'just do it'! You don't have to be a gardening expert to start growing your own food...give me a break. I didn't know anything when I left home, and now, 13 years later, here I am butchering my own poultry. I just think people are uncomfortable with change, even if it's for the better.
Don't worry, ladies, I am gearing up a review for Amazon!!! Can't wait to finish the book now, lol.
My 2 cents for today.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Reading Room: Barbara Kingsolver... |
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Barbara Kingsolver...
