Animal Dreams: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver, reaffirms my high regard for this acclaimed author. The contemporary story takes place in America’s Southwest.
Codi Noline returns to her childhood home in Grace, Arizona when she learns her father, the small town’s only physician, is dying of a brain disease. When Codi was three years old, her mother died giving birth to her sister, Hallie. Growing up, the two girls were inseparable, but they had a difficult, distant relationship with their father.
Codi can’t bear the thought of living in her father’s house, but is invited to use the guesthouse of a high school friend who is married with five children.
Codi’s sister Hallie, who has a degree in integrated pest management, leaves for Nicaragua to share her knowledge of growing crops. Codi receives periodic letters from Hallie telling of her experiences and fears while in Central America. Codi considers Hallie “a cross between Johnny Appleseed and a freedom fighter.”
Although Codi considers herself a medical school drop-out, a well-trained bag lady, she is highly educated and is temporarily hired by the school district to teach high school biology. The Grace area has had deteriorating agriculture due to local mining operations. Codi takes her students on a field trip to test the soil and water. Together they confirm recent studies claiming the soil is so damaged it has the approximate pH of battery acid.
While at a social gathering, Codi sees an old high school boyfriend, handsome Apache Loyd Peregrina, whose gentle humor and wise perception fill an emptiness Codi has carried for years. Together, they visit places of his youth and she learns of the Southwest’s rich history.
Animal Dreams is a passionate, complex novel of love, forgiveness and one woman’s struggle to learn what “home” means. It’s full of warmth and wisdom, especially from Loyd: “It’s one thing to carry your life wherever you go. Another thing to always go looking for it somewhere else.”
I just this morning read a book on writing that used a snippet of this book as an example. Now with your review…It’s a must read. Thanks, Mary!
What a coincidence, Carmen! It’s a good book and so well written–no wonder they used it as an example.
I would like to read this book written by one of my favorite writers. Thank you, Mary, for summarizing the story so well.
I think you’ll enjoy this one, too, Hema. The only other Kingsolver novel I’ve read was “Poisonwood Bible,” which i loved.
Intriguing review, Mary, as well as an intriguing story from Kingsolver. I’ll have to put this one on my TBR list. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on your latest read.
Thank you, Alice. I think Barbara Kingsolver is such a good writer. I loved “Poisonwood Bible” and this is certainly its equal.
This sounds like a wonderful book that I’d definitely like. I’ll look it up. Thanks for the review, Mary.
I think you’ll love this book, Irene. Kingsolver is such a good writer–I really admire her.
I loved this book You’ve selected just the right quote to sum it up. Great review Mary.
Thank you, Andrea. I value your opinion.