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All rights reserved.White Oleander by Janet Fitch (2000)
| Synopsis Thirteen-year-old Astrid Magnussen has to grow up quickly when her beautiful, mercurial mother murders her lover (with the poison from oleander flowers) and is sentenced to life in prison. Astrid is raised in a series of foster homes--never losing her connection with her dominating and larger-than-life mother. As Astrid learns how to deal with her mother and her foster mothers, she discovers who she really is.
Publisher's Note The struggle to build an authentic identity lies at the heart of Astrid's life as a foster child in Los Angeles after her poet mother, who has kept Astrid isolated from the world, is imprisoned for murder. A first novel. Industry Reviews Miller | Find errors in the product description? Submit a catalog update request now. | ||||||||||||||||||
Top Reviews  Praise for White Oleander 7 of 7 people found this review helpful. I bought this book not long after it was first released, on my quest to conquer all the books in Oprah's book club. Janet Fitch could not have written a better book to debut her abilities with. White Oleander is pure genius! I found the book hard to put down, even though it has almost 500 pages. The book presents the story in such a living, breathing manner that the characters are easily brought to life in your mind. The story is about a young girl whose mother has been imprisoned for murdering an ex-boyfriend. This mother is particularly strange to me; she's very eclectic and poetic. Her daughter is quite like her, but has grown to stand in her mother's shadow. When the mother is imprisoned, Astrid, the young girl, must learn to live in a series of foster homes around the area with all types of people trying to tell her how to behave and what to believe. Astrid has few friends and becomes somewhat alienated. Gradually, she comes to live with herself and grows away from her mother. This is a typical novel of self-discovery with some odd twists and turns along the way. The voice of this book will leave a lasting impression on you long after you've finished reading, which is partly what makes it so special. It also presents controversial issues and brings awareness to alternative living conditions, such as foster care, in a very human, engrossing way. A must for anyone seeking a great, long book with amazing emotional power. Review ID: 10000000001911162 Was this review helpful? Report this review Reviews  Below average book reviewReview created: 07/01/08 by: The book arrived on time. The condition was described as Like New. The book has beaten up corners, pretty much used. Since it was a book for me I found it acceptable. Otherwise, what can you expect for less then a dollar. Review ID: 10000000007760757 Was this review helpful? Report this review A contemporary read like non-other1 of 1 people found this review helpful. White Oleander will be like no other book you've read before. The relationship and dynamics between mother and daughter is to often dolled up or played down. The author present the issues that arise as a daughter tries to find herself and step out of a mothers shadow and deal with the fact that even though she'd always thought her mother to be perfect, she wasn't. Powerful characters and wonderful story telling skills come to the forefront in this novel, you will not want to put it down once you've read the first page. Review ID: 10000000003367952 Was this review helpful? Report this review Absolutely wonderful book from a first time author.1 of 1 people found this review helpful. White Oleander by Janet Fitch is the story of a vain, toxic mother and her young daughter. The mother, Ingrid, is imprisoned fairly early on the book, but not before scarring her daughter with her on and off coldness and neglect. The rest of the story is about the daughter, Astrid, who goes through a series of foster homes, hoping against hope to find love and acceptance. You'll find yourself aching to put your arms around Astrid throughout her trials and struggles. My favorite thing about this story is the language used. Janet Fitch is a master of description, metaphors and similes. I've read a lot of books, and this is one of my all-time favorites. It really is remarkable! Review ID: 10000000001366833 Was this review helpful? Report this review |
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