The Bean Trees
by the Winner of the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Little, Brown Book Group
Published:1st Mar '01
Should be back in stock very soon
In this touching debut novel, a young woman navigates motherhood and self-discovery while forming unexpected bonds in her new life. The Bean Trees captures the essence of resilience.
In The Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver tells the story of Taylor Greer, a young woman from rural Kentucky who dreams of escaping her small-town life. With determination and a beat-up old car, she embarks on a journey across the Midwest, hoping to find a new beginning. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when she becomes the guardian of an abandoned baby girl named Turtle. This sudden responsibility forces Taylor to confront the challenges of motherhood and the complexities of her own identity.
As Taylor settles in Tucson, she encounters a vibrant cast of characters who help her navigate her new life. From the wise and nurturing Mattie to the quirky and endearing Estevan and Esperanza, each character contributes to Taylor's growth and understanding of family. Together, they create a makeshift community that supports one another through life's trials and tribulations. The novel beautifully illustrates the themes of friendship, resilience, and the search for belonging.
The Bean Trees is not just a coming-of-age story; it is a celebration of the human spirit and the connections that bind us. Kingsolver's wit and humor shine through, making the narrative both compelling and poignant. This debut novel has garnered critical acclaim, including the Pulitzer Prize, and continues to resonate with readers for its heartfelt exploration of life's unpredictable journey.
The work of a visionary... It leaves you open-mouthed and smiling * Los Angeles Times *
The work of a visionary... It leaves you open-mouthed and smiling * Los Angeles Times *
An astonishing literary debut... For a deep breath of fresh air, spend some time in the neighborhood of The Bean Trees * Cosmopolitan *
An astonishing literary debut... For a deep breath of fresh air, spend some time in the neighborhood of The Bean Trees * Cosmopolitan *
Compelling and very funny * Daily Telegraph *
Compelling and very funny * Daily Telegraph *
This funny, inspiring book is a marvelous affirmation of risk-taking, commitment and everyday miracles...An overwhelming delight, as random and unexpected as real life * Publishers Weekly *
This funny, inspiring book is a marvelous affirmation of risk-taking, commitment and everyday miracles...An overwhelming delight, as random and unexpected as real life * Publishers Weekly *
This is the story of a lovable, resourceful 'instant mother,' one who speaks, acts and learns for herself, becoming an inspiration to us all * Glamour *
This is the story of a lovable, resourceful 'instant mother,' one who speaks, acts and learns for herself, becoming an inspiration to us all * Glamour *
As clear as air. It is the southern novel taken west, its colors as translucent and polished as one of those slices of rose agate from a desert shop * New York Times Book Review *
As clear as air. It is the southern novel taken west, its colors as translucent and polished as one of those slices of rose agate from a desert shop * New York Times Book Review *
So wry and wise we wish it would never end....The chatty, down-home audacity of Barbara Kingsolver's remarkable first novel hooks us on the first page * San Francisco Chronicle *
So wry and wise we wish it would never end....The chatty, down-home audacity of Barbara Kingsolver's remarkable first novel hooks us on the first page * San Francisco Chronicle *
A major new talent. From the very first page, Kingsolver's characters tug at the heart and soul * Ms *
A major new talent. From the very first page, Kingsolver's characters tug at the heart and soul * Ms *
Idealistic and exhilarating, The Bean Trees is a book that combines the most careful craft with a moral code that is loving and expansive * Philadelphia Inquirer *
Idealistic and exhilarating, The Bean Trees is a book that combines the most careful craft with a moral code that is loving and expansive * Philadelphia Inquirer *
An extraordinary good novel, tough and tender and gritty and moving * Anne Rivers Siddons *
An extraordinary good novel, tough and tender and gritty and moving * Anne Rivers Siddons *
Compelling and very funny * DAILY TELEGRAPH *
A remarkable, enjoyable book ... I'd definitely urge you to read it * New York TIMES *
An astonishing literary debut * COSMOPOLITAN *
ISBN: 9780349114170
Dimensions: 196mm x 128mm x 16mm
Weight: 168g
240 pages