This is a beautiful book, one of my favourites. I enjoy the author's narration and don't think she needs an actor to do it. Her style really fit the main character's voice.

The Monarch butterflies have migrated to Feathertown, TN - out of their standard path and way of life. Our main character, Dellarobia Turnbow makes the discovery as she climbs the mountain on her family's land. Married to Cub and mother to two children, she tries to please her mother-in-law and struggles finding happiness in her marriage. Throughout the book, Dellarobia finds sincere interest in the Monarchs, what has happened to cause them to flock to their area, to stand against her Father-in-law's decision to log the mountain, and to find herself in the process.

Kingsolver's writing is thick with description and adjectives. Her way of writing made the focus of the environmental issue intriguing to read and discuss instead of feeling like it was beat over the head.

I think what I liked the most about this book was the church sayings from Dovey: “Honk if you love Jesus, text while driving if you want to meet up.”

And the pointed insight intertwined:
“Mistakes wreck your life. But they make what you have. It's kind of all one. You know what Hester told me when we were working the sheep one time? She said it's no good to complain about your flock, because it's the put-together of all your past choices.”

I loved this homey, down to earth family, fictional, well researched story and beautiful narration.

I have read and adored Barbara Kingsolver's books for decades, but this is this first time I've heard her read her work. That voice! It just rings so true and takes me straight back to my Georgia childhood. Thank you, Barbara Kingsolver, for this marvelous and wise book, for your authentic voice, for steering clear of the easy southern cliches, for this trip home.

Really a chore to get through. Instead of what I believe was meant to be an uplifting fable, this novel made me despair for the uneducated, willfully ignorant masses. The climax was predictable from the onset, further enforcing my opinion that I should not have bothered to finish reading. I expect better from this author.

I first read the book, and loved it so much I immediately read it again, slower. then got the audio and have listened to it twice. just a great story, with authors take on environmental issues thrown in. one of my all time favorites.

Author Barbara Kingsolver trained as a biologist,and she brings a trove of scientific knowledge and a researcher's perspective to her novels.

Which is great, but not even the best part. Her love of the Appalachian mountains, the people who live in them and the language they use, infuses the narrative. Phrases like "great day in the morning!" and "a lick and a promise" turn up in Kingsolver's books like precious gems unearthed and displayed in just the right setting.

She weaves her stories through the experiences of a variety of characters, young & old, city and country. It's wonderful to watch these characters grow as they persist & interact.

I absolutely love the authors reading of the book. She does a great job creating different character voices, and of course in rendering the nuances of Appalachian, her mother tongue.

Listening to this novel has helped me clarify and to articulate some long-held feelings about our relationship with the land.

Great book, but Barbara speaks at a cadence slower than slow! It was often frustrating and took away from the story which moved quickly. This is a book I wish I would have read myself.

Climate Change-Yikes!

Discovery of mega-colony of Monarch Butterflies "wintering" in the wrong place.

Yes. Story, characters, and science drew me in.

The narration was terrible. I couldn't get past the 6th chapter because of the narration, and the book is so boring.

No. I wouldn't ever buy another book that she narrates.

Sadly, it didn't have any redeeming qualities at all.