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The Bean Trees  By  cover art

The Bean Trees

By: Barbara Kingsolver
Narrated by: C. J. Critt
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Publisher's summary

Clear-eyed and spirited, Taylor Greer grew up poor in rural Kentucky with the goals of avoiding pregnancy and getting away.

But when she heads west with high hopes and a barely functional car, she meets the human condition head-on. By the time Taylor arrives in Tucson, Arizona, she has acquired a completely unexpected child, a three-year-old American Indian girl named Turtle, and must somehow come to terms with both motherhood and the necessity of putting down roots.

Hers is a story about love and friendship, abandonment and belonging, and the discovery of surprising resources in apparently empty places.

©1988 Barbara Kingsolver (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC

What listeners say about The Bean Trees

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Of tires and turtle

I love the clarity and courage of this protagonist, and the unexpected crescendo of events she lets herself become deeply committed to, and the seasonal relationships that develop over time. And the underlying stream of humour makes it a book I relish! and will re-listen to again and again. I felt C.J. Critt as a narrator transmitted the nuances of the book with an even lighter touch than the author herself. Looking forward to Pigs in Heaven being produced unabridged.

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Great Realistic Story

I loved this book! The concepts of family and understanding are very well done. I would say that the book had me wanting to continue even 'till the very end.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

love barbara kingsolver!

barbara never disappoints! it was hard for me to stop listening. cj critt was a great narrator.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Timeless Story

This writer is addictive. She has the ability to draw you in and make you care about the characters, connect with their lives and look forward to reading her next book.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Just ok

I read this after Demon Copperhead and I was not nearly as impressed. It was fine just not memorable. Kinda slow.

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Heartfelt story.

This Kingsolver novel, like so many,is filled with lively characters and storyline. It has a memorable story that will stay in my thoughts for a long while.

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Good reader and wonderful story.

Good writing and good reading! Loved reflecting on the themes around childhood and womanhood, Native American rights which are constantly under question and Native American relations with white Americans, and the love between non-biological mother and child.

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I wish Barbara Kingsolver would have narrated this

Huge Barbara Kingsolver fan here, I've loved all of her works that I have listened to. This one might be good too, but I'm a couple hours in and I can't get past the narration. The accents for the girls are not right - the narrator doesn't sound at all like the characters. They were supposed to be from the south, not Minnesota. Plus, I kept hearing her take a loud breath when she started her sentences which was very distracting. There are very long pauses when the chapters change which made me check to see if my headphones shut off or my phone died or something and it really breaks the flow of the book.

I really with BK would narrate all of her novels. Not sure I'm going to continue listening to this or return it. It seems like it's probably a good story but the narration is really ruining it for me.

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Loved this story!

Barbara Kingsolver never disappoints...loved this novel rich with human circumstances and emotional conflict and perseverance and joy.

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    3 out of 5 stars

Good story. Not for me.

Just not the story that's for me. Good story telling.
l listened to the whole story but didn't really feel connected to the characters.

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