Before I start talking about this book I would like to talk about this author, Barbara Kingsolver. I posted about one of her other books earlier, which is when I fell in love with her. She is definitely on the list of my top 5 favorite authors, which packs a lot of meaning because I’ve read a good number of books (more than 200.) Even though I use the library for most of my readings I’ve decided to collect hard copies of her novels for myself. I’ve always been partial to a style of writing in which there are seemingly separate stories happening, but by the end you learn how intertwined everyone is (this book by her is one such example.)* Kingsolver’s writing is always so full of heart that you can’t help but feel as if you know the characters intimately. She knows how to imbue characters with such a graceful mixture of strength and vulnerability, which is exactly what I look for in both a book and an author.
The pounding of What do I want went still in her breast. It didn’t matter what she chose. The world was what it was, a place with its own rules of hunger and satisfaction. Creatures lived and mated and died, they came and went, as surely as summer did. They would go their own ways, of their own accord.
In my opinion this book (Prodigal Summer) was perfection. The four main characters were so incredibly lovable even when they were not at their most lovable. The plot itself is beautiful, but wouldn’t have been as powerful without the strength of the characters. It’s definitely a book about individuality and how even the strongest people need some kind of comfort in their lives. It doesn’t always have to be romantic, sometimes you just need simple acceptance. The acceptance must first come from within yourself, and then it will manifest in the people you surround yourself with. Which isn’t to say that it’s not wrong to help find that acceptance through other people! The four main characters are influenced strongly by their environment (Appalachian mountains). It is not a hard book to follow in terms of plot but it is very magical in its simplicity.
*Colum McCann, is another one of those authors with a similar style of writing, that I recommend to everyone.
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