- Paperback: 464 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial; Reprint. edition (October 16, 2001)
- ISBN-10: 0060959037
- Source: Publisher
Described as “a hymn to wilderness that celebrates the prodigal spirit of human nature, and of nature itself,” Prodigal Summer details the story of three individuals: Deanna Wolfe, who lives in an isolated cabin and works for the forest service; Lusa Landowski, a city girl & bug expert; and Garnett Walker, an eighty year old man with an obsession with the chestnut tree.
It isn’t until nearly halfway through the book that the relationship between the three characters is revealed. The setting is the lush forest of Appalachia, and while the three characters never meet directly, their experiences are shared by the common setting.
Kingsolver does an outstanding job of describing nature, so detailed and poetic. After reading this book, I guarantee you will look at, and understand, nature in a completely different manner. This is not a book you rush through, but one you savor. While I enjoyed this book tremendously, I wouldn’t recommend this book to just anyone. Anyone with an appreciation of nature, of detailed and descriptive writing, would appreciate this book.
Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing me this opportunity to review this book!
Tags: Appalachia, Barbara Kingsolver, Literary Fiction, love., nature, Review
Twitter: BethFishReads
says:
I’ve heard good things about this Kingsolver — glad it seems to live up to its reputation.
Twitter: topazshell5
says:
Love your review, that’s the exact same feelings I had about Prodigal Summer. I would love to sit down and reread it.
Twitter: teresasreading
says:
I tried reading this one awhile ago. I just couldn’t get into it. I’m wondering if I should have stuck it out? Maybe I’ll pick it up again.
It’s been years since I read this book but I remember loving it. Of course, I am a huge Kingsolver fan.
Twitter: age30books
says:
I’m a fan of Kingsolver but I haven’t read this one yet (though it IS on my shelf already). Glad to see you enjoyed it! I’m pretty sure I will as well, since I’m all about descriptions of nature.
Thanks for being a part f the tour!
Have heard many great things about Kingsolver, but haven’t read any of her work yet. Your excellent review has brought her back to my attention. Thanks
Twitter: undermyappletre
says:
I just picked up a copy of this book a couple of weeks ago. Everyone seems to love Kingsolver’s writing so I’ll give it a try. This one is probably a good choice for me because I love all things nature.