REVIEWS
Consider Picking Up 'The Bean Trees' Next Summer
By Amy DeCillis
Kingsolver's novel about a young girl's journey is a good summer read.
Imagine driving down the road, stopping for a bite to eat, then getting handed a baby in the middle of nowhere. This is Mariette’s reality in "The Bean Trees" by Barbara Kingsolver. While the main character’s given name is Mariette, in an effort to leave the small town that she was always bound to, she gives herself a new name, Taylor. Taylor’s life is in no way easier than her life as Mariette in rural Kentucky, but it is incontestably more exciting, and that is exactly what Taylor wanted. This gripping novel takes readers on a journey with a spunky young girl who is trying to find herself.
Taylor starts her journey in her hometown and winds up all the way in Oklahoma. There, despite successfully avoiding pregnancy during her teenage years, Taylor is handed a mysterious baby that will change her life forever. The rest of the story involves Taylor’s life with her new daughter, Turtle, and their encounters with the harsh realities and many joys of life.
Anyone who wants to go on an adventure should read this book. Not only will readers be pushed off their couches and into the world, but this novel also serves as a delightful source of entertainment. The Bean Trees stretches readers’ minds by compelling them to truly ruminate over very real and current social issues while also allowing readers myriads of deep belly laughs. Kingsolver lets readers truly enjoy this story and also grow along with Taylor as she transitions in this new season of life.
Kingsolver used a simple idea to create a riveting story of trust, adaptability, and love.
While at first I did not anticipate that I would find much in common with Taylor, she truly exists as a symbol of pure adventure and is able to inspire any reader. Despite being forced to read this, I found myself using all of my spare time to read about where Taylor was headed next. Taylor’s life changing experience changed my life as well.