White Oleander (Oprah's Book Club)

Haunting, deeply moving book.This lovely, meandering epic coming of age story concerns Astrid and her mother Ingrid, who has been imprisoned for murder. Astrid goes through a handful of foster homes and all of the dysfunction that it entails.At times this book is moving, at other times shocking, it ultimately attempts to answer the question: why and how do mothers and daughters relate to each other? The depth of the writing is amazing for a "first" novel (Janet Fitch had actually been writing for at least a decade before this book was published).The only part I found a bit distracting was Astrid, the narrator's habit of needing to make even mundane details sound poetic. I suppose it was done for effect, to show the way she thinks, but it was at times tiresome. Of course, at other times, it was lyrical and beautiful and the prose soared.The subject matter can be shocking, as it includes explicit sexual descriptions, drug use and violence. it is never gratuitous, however, as it is intended to be an accurate portrayal of foster home life.There are many, many messages here, as Fitch is ambitious and covers a lot of themes- loneliness, sex, mothers and daughters,class issues, the racial divide and how women are treated in modern culture. Los Angeles as a setting is the third most important character in the book.Astrid's mother writes to her:"The best you'll ever do is to understand yourself, know what it is that you want, and not let the cattle stand in your way."And Astrid thinks: "I hated my mother but I craved her."Complex.

WHITE OLEANDER is the kind of novel that agents still talk about, over ten years after it was published in 1999. As I was curious to see what they were talking about, I recently read it.The agents were right. This is an amazing novel, not just for the outrageous but believable character of Ingrid Magnusson and her daughter Astrid, not just for the amazing plot twists and turns, but for the amazing prose style. "What was the best day of your life?" she asked me one afternoon as we lay on the free-form couch, her head on one armrest, min on the other. Judy Garland sang on the stereo, "My Funny Valentine.""Today," I said."No." She laughed, throwing her napkin at me. "From before."I tried to remember, but it was like looking for buried coins in the sand. I kept turning things over, cutting myself on rusty cans, broken beer bottles hidden there, but eventually I found an old coin, brushed it off. I could read the date, the country of origin.It was when we were living in Amsterdam."What a great use of metaphor and simile. Here is another example.And now it was too late. I looked at Sergei across the table in Rena's kitchen. He could care less about my boyfriend in New York. He didn't even care about his girlfriend in the next room. He was just like one of Rena's white cats - eat, sleep, and fornicate. Since the night I'd seen them together on the couch, he was always watching me with his hint of a grin, as if there were some secret we shared."So how is your boyfriend?" he asked. "Big? Is he big?"Niki laughed. "He's huge, Sergei. Haven't you heard of him? Moby Dick."Olivia had told me all about men like Sergei. Hard men with blue veins in their sculpted white arms, heavy-lidded blue eyes and narrow waists. You could make a deal with a man like that. A man who knew what he wanted. I kept my eyes on the broccoli and cheese."You get tired of waiting," he said. "You come see me.""What if you're no good?" I said, making the other girls laugh."Only worry you fall in love Sergei," he said, his voice like a hand between my legs.What's not to like about this book? The ending. I really didn't like it. I didn't like being left with two choices, two ways that this heartbreaking story might go. I thought that the author should have done that hard work for me. Four stars.

Best written book I've read in a long time.

It is hard for me to put a label on this book. It explores what happens to Astrid after her mother is imprisoned for murdering her boyfriend. Astrid had a strange childhood. Her mother is a self titled poetic genius. And expects all to adore her. When she lived with her mother she just thought that was the way it was for everyone. But once she is placed in the foster system she learns the truth. She struggles through abuse and neglect as she is moved to different houses. But she learns more about herself with each change. When she is finally placed with someone who actually loves her she flourishes. Until her mother gets involved. When Astrid can never forgive he for pushing Claire to suicide her mother doesn’t understand. And this is when Astrid decides she is done with her mother. This is a heartbreaking tale of survival and growth.The audiobook is narrated by Oprah Winfrey. She does a wonderful job. But the story is abridged. And I found conclusions near the end of the audiobook didn’t have a frame of reference. So I went back to the original text. And was glad I did. The physical book is much richer in detail and depth of characters.

I read this book for the first time my freshman year of high school, and now as a college sophomore I’ve picked it up again. During my second read through of this book, I’ve been reminded of just how genius Janet Fitch is. Her writing is beautiful and what really sets her aside are her creative and realistic metaphors.If you’re looking for a lighthearted happy read, this is not for you. The book discusses themes of statuatory rape, domestic abuse, drugs, etc. That being said, I think the book does an excellent job at portraying the trauma which comes with growing up in the foster system. White Oleander has been my favorite book for the past half a decade, I wish I could read it again for the first time. I cannot recommend it enough.

i just got it yesterday and i’m already half way done. could not put it down! it’s sad but also so beautiful and poetic

Muy buen libro

A page turner. Even when you have to put it down, it's easy to pick up where you left off. Deep and moving and sad and good.

What an amazing story. I feel for this child as she struggles to fit into her many foster homes.This is well written and I would love to see the movie now.