THIS is why I love reading.
Barbara Kingsolver is a Writer. One of my favorite books is The Poisonwood Bible. There is nothing else like it. It is a tough read, a long read, but did I mention she is a WRITER???
This is another of the (many) books that have been collecting dust on my shelf for several years. In my Covid Reading Challenge of reading mainly the books on my TBR shelf, I finally picked this one up. I have no reason for why I delayed, and if it happens to be on your shelf, go get it - NOW.
Some reviews point out that this novel is too full of overly descriptive nature. Maybe. I didn't mind it. The story is in three arcs, set at the same time. Like three novellas about three neighbors in the same farmland town near the Appalachian Mountains. They do not seem connected by anything other than their location, and their individual connections to nature: a "bugologist," a Forest Warden who has isolated herself on the mountain, and a tree cross pollinator and his crazy neighbor who refuses to use any chemicals at all in her apple orchard. (Her encounters with the tree man are some of the best dialogue and inner musings I have read in a while. Loved it.)
The poignancy of the life of the city girl turned farmer's wife is so touching. I liked her character fine and would have read an entire novel about her.
The character and history behind and future of the Warden, not to mention her knowledge of her mountain, was so fascinating I hated when her chapters ended.
And while some of the connections are pretty obvious, you may still get a surprise or two. But it should be no surprise in the capable hands of Kingsolver. She is a genius. Species Genius Writerus.
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