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Flight Behavior  By  cover art

Flight Behavior

By: Barbara Kingsolver
Narrated by: Barbara Kingsolver
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Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

Indie best seller

Barnes & Noble best seller

National best seller

Amazon Best Book of the Month

Indie Next Pick

Best book of the year: New York Times Notable, Washington Post Notable, Amazon Editor’s Choice, USA Today’s Top Ten (#1), St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Kansas City Star

Prize-winning author: Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Dayton Literary Peace Prize (Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award), Orange Prize for Fiction

Prize-winning author: National Humanities Medal, Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Orange Prize for Fiction, Dayton Literary Peace Prize (Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award)

"Kingsolver is a gifted magician of words." (Time)

The extraordinary New York Times best-selling author of The Lacuna (winner of the Orange Prize), The Poisonwood Bible (nominated for the Pulitzer Prize), and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Barbara Kingsolver returns with a truly stunning and unforgettable work.

Flight Behavior is a brilliant and suspenseful novel set in present day Appalachia; a breathtaking parable of catastrophe and denial that explores how the complexities we inevitably encounter in life lead us to believe in our particular chosen truths. Kingsolver's riveting story concerns a young wife and mother on a failing farm in rural Tennessee who experiences something she cannot explain, and how her discovery energizes various competing factions - religious leaders, climate scientists, environmentalists, politicians - trapping her in the center of the conflict and ultimately opening up her world.

Flight Behavior is arguably Kingsolver's most thrilling and accessible novel to date, and like so many other of her acclaimed works, represents contemporary American fiction at its finest.

©2012 Barbara Kingsolver (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers

Featured Article: The 20 Best Audiobooks Read by the Author


There’s an undeniable authenticity in a listen that’s told by the very person who penned it. From iconic memoirs to far-out fantasies, these immersive audio performances are uniquely genuine, all performed in the author’s own voice. If you want to experience how special it can be to listen to a narrative exactly the way it was intended, check out our list of the 20 best audiobooks read by their authors.

What listeners say about Flight Behavior

Average customer ratings
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  • kc
  • 12-13-12

another wonderful story from a master

Where does Flight Behavior rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love Barbara Kingsolver, and it is a wonderful journey to listen to her read her own stories. She is a spectacular writer, and has a wonderful narrative voice.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Kingsolver hits another home run!

What did you love best about Flight Behavior?

great writing, wonderful story

What was one of the most memorable moments of Flight Behavior?

I love the way that Kingsolver threaded concepts of science and public policy into a compelling story

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A beautifully story weaving in an urgent issue of our times

Barbara provides valuable insight into the divide between the educated and the uneducated, the coastal elites and rural simpletons, especially in the realm of scientific understanding and questioning of climate change. The story gives the contentious issue a human form, with beautiful prose and clever setups and conversation to unveil the mysteries of global warming. Loved the book !

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  • JD
  • 12-03-19

A wonderful book

I am a huge Barbara Kingsolver fan. This book did not disappoint me, but I gave it 4 stars because I don’t think it is one I’d recommend to everyone. While I think it deals with a lot of issues that should be on everyone’s minds, I think some people will not enjoy the book and will think I am pushing an agenda. Maybe I am, and should be... but that means that for some they will hate it. Still a very good way to get through to some people that are climate change deniers.

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Listen

Barbara Kingsolver has reliably introduced me to characters and events that are relatable, unassuming, poetic and eye opening. This book is no exception, yet it is exceptional. You won’t be disappointed.

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Evocative and layered

If you are a Kingsolver fan, this will not disappoint. Her development of characters from different walks of life, positioning of them in the story together, and the discovery of learning about themselves from each other is as remarkable as we expect of this writer. A surprise to me was her compassion in expressing the “climate denier” view, and the way she dealt with the “sides” as cultural inevitabilities. Which we all know…right? And it still surprised me to hear it stated so plainly. A great read.

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Southern Farmers Face Climate Change

I thought the best part was the conversation between the Canadian conservationist and the protagonist, showing how out of touch liberals can be with the lives of the rural poor. Although climate change is an undisputed danger, this scene showed how well-meaning urban intellectuals often completely miss the mark and misunderstand the concerns of those living closest to nature.

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lovely writing, educational, lovely voice

engaging from the start. as always Barbara kingsolver is able to get all about science subjects in a digestible soup.

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Good enough to listen twice . . .

What did you love best about Flight Behavior?

Kingsolver's use of metaphor and beautifully phrased prose.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Flight Behavior?

Dellarobia, the central character, wonders through a second hand store with her best friend and her children. The manner in which Kingsolver describes her discoveries is gorgeous

What three words best describe Barbara Kingsolver’s performance?

Authentically southern cadence

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was the only Audible book I've ever listened to twice in a row.

Any additional comments?

At first, I struggled with Kingsolver's pacing as she narrated, but when my ear adjusted to her cadence, I fell in love with the story.

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Wonderful as always

I love listening to Barbara Kingsolver narrate her own books. She always makes me think about things in a different way. She is one of the best contemporary writer there is. This is not quite Poisonwood Bible, but it would be hard to duplicate a triumph like that. This is classic Kingsolver, beautifully written.

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