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The Bean Trees: A Novel Paperback – May 7, 2013

by Barbara Kingsolver (Author)
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“The Bean Trees is the work of a visionary. . . . It leaves you open-mouthed and smiling.”  — Los Angeles Times

A bestseller that has come to be regarded as an American classic, The Bean Trees is the novel that launched Barbara Kingsolver’s remarkable literary career.

It is the charming, engrossing tale of rural Kentucky native Taylor Greer, who only wants to get away from her roots and avoid getting pregnant. She succeeds, but inherits a three-year-old Native American girl named Turtle along the way, and together, from Oklahoma to Arizona, half-Cherokee Taylor and her charge search for a new life in the West. Hers is a story about love and friendship, abandonment and belonging, and the discovery of surprising resources in seemingly empty places.

This edition includes a P.S. section with additional insights from the author, background material, suggestions for further reading, and more.

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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Greer Family
  2. Print length
    272 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Harper Perennial
  5. Publication date
    May 7, 2013
  6. Dimensions
    0.7 x 5.2 x 7.9 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0062277758
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0062277756
  9. Lexile measure
    900L
  10. See all details
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Get to know this book

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  1. What's it about?

    A young woman from rural Kentucky embarks on a journey of self-discovery and forms a deep bond with a young Native American girl she unexpectedly inherits, as they navigate life's challenges together in the American West.

  2. Popular highlight

    I had decided early on that if I couldn’t dress elegant, I’d dress memorable.
    1,237 Kindle readers highlighted this

  3. Popular highlight

    “Mi’ija, in a world as wrong as this one, all we can do is to make things as right as we can.”
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    A night-blooming cereus, Virgie Mae explained. The flowers open for only one night of the year, and then they are gone.
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From the Publisher

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9780062684738 image 9780062653055 image 9780062124272 image 9780062278500 image 9780062277749 image 9780062277763 image
Unsheltered Animal Vegetable Miracle Flight Behavior Animal Dreams Homeland Pigs in Heaven
Customer Reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
12,589
4.5 out of 5 stars
2,391
4.2 out of 5 stars
9,320
4.4 out of 5 stars
2,686
4.2 out of 5 stars
590
4.5 out of 5 stars
5,060
Price $16.04 $17.63 $9.18 $11.19 $6.99 $13.99
9780060852580 image 9780060927561 image 9780060504083 image 9780060959036 image 9780060786502 image
The Lacuna High Tide in Tucson Small Wonder Prodigal Summer The Poisonwood Bible
Customer Reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
4,329
4.5 out of 5 stars
344
4.5 out of 5 stars
326
4.4 out of 5 stars
6,132
4.5 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The work of a visionary. . . . It leaves you open-mouthed and smiling.” — Los Angeles Times

“As clear as air. It is the southern novel taken west, its colors as translucent and polished as one of those slices of rose agate from a desert shop.” — New York Times Book Review

"An extraordinary good novel, tough and tender and gritty and moving." — Anne Rivers Siddons

“So wry and wise we wish it would never end....The chatty, down-home audacity of Barbara Kingsolver’s remarkable first novel hooks us on the first page.” — San Francisco Chronicle

"A major new talent. From the very first page, Kingsolver's characters tug at the heart and soul." — Ms.

“An astonishing literary debut....For a deep breath of fresh air, spend some time in the neighborhood of The Bean Trees.” — Cosmopolitan

"Idealistic and exhilerating, The Bean Trees is a book that combines the most careful craft with a moral code that is loving and expansive." — Philadelphia Inquirer

“This is the story of a lovable, resourceful ‘instant mother,’ one who speaks, acts and learns for herself, becoming an inspiration to us all.” — Glamour

“This funny, inspiring book is a marvelous affirmation of risk-taking, commitment and everyday miracles...An overwhelming delight, as random and unexpected as real life.” — Publishers Weekly

From the Back Cover

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

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Perennial; Reissue edition (May 7, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062277758
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062277756
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 900L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 5.2 x 7.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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Barbara Kingsolver

Barbara Kingsolver

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Barbara Kingsolver was born in 1955 and grew up in rural Kentucky. She earned degrees in biology from DePauw University and the University of Arizona, and has worked as a freelance writer and author since 1985. At various times she has lived in England, France, and the Canary Islands, and has worked in Europe, Africa, Asia, Mexico, and South America. She spent two decades in Tucson, Arizona, before moving to southwestern Virginia where she currently resides.

Her books, in order of publication, are: The Bean Trees (1988), Homeland (1989), Holding the Line: Women in the Great Arizona Mine Strike (1989), Animal Dreams (1990), Another America (1992), Pigs in Heaven (1993), High Tide in Tucson (1995), The Poisonwood Bible (1998), Prodigal Summer (2000), Small Wonder (2002), Last Stand: America's Virgin Lands, with photographer Annie Griffiths (2002), Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (2007), The Lacuna (2009), Flight Behavior (2012), Unsheltered (2018), How To Fly (In 10,000 Easy Lessons) (2020), Demon Copperhead (2022), and coauthored with Lily Kingsolver, Coyote's Wild Home (2023). She served as editor for Best American Short Stories 2001.

Kingsolver was named one the most important writers of the 20th Century by Writers Digest, and in 2023 won a Pulitzer Prize for her novel Demon Copperhead. In 2000 she received the National Humanities Medal, our country's highest honor for service through the arts. Her books have been translated into more than thirty languages and have been adopted into the core curriculum in high schools and colleges throughout the nation. Critical acclaim for her work includes multiple awards from the American Booksellers Association and the American Library Association, a James Beard award, two-time Oprah Book Club selection, and the national book award of South Africa, among others. She was awarded Britain's prestigious Women's Prize for Fiction (formerly the Orange Prize) for both Demon Copperhead and The Lacuna, making Kingsolver the first author in the history of the prize to win it twice. In 2011, Kingsolver was awarded the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for the body of her work. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

She has two daughters, Camille (born in 1987) and Lily (1996). She and her husband, Steven Hopp, live on a farm in southern Appalachia where they raise an extensive vegetable garden and Icelandic sheep.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
11,222 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book relatable and discuss many social concerns. They also describe the writing quality as very well written, real, and profound. Readers find the characters engaging and the story engrossing. They find the emotional tone heartwarming, touching, and funny. Customers also mention the story as close, real and tangible.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Entertainment valueWriting qualityStoryCharactersEmotional toneRelatableOriginalityPacing
255 customers mention "Entertainment value"224 positive31 negative

Customers find the book engrossing, refreshing, and worth reading. They also describe the characters as charming, witty, and likable. Readers also mention that the pages are cool and the way the author uses the English language delicious.

"...The variety of characters was both believable and interesting...." Read more

"...Readable, humorous at times but always a heart felt message. Not a difficult book, but definitely a step up as far as it’s literary value...." Read more

"...had to double check the publication date because the topics seemed so relevant, particularly the focus on immigration issues...." Read more

"This cleverly written, engrossing tale of Marietta/Taylor Greer's escape from her birthplace in Kentucky, and what eventually happens to her in..." Read more

247 customers mention "Writing quality"219 positive28 negative

Customers find the writing quality very well written, vivid, and captivated. They also say the book is a quick read with no extraneous words. Customers also mention that the style is straightforward and flows like natural conversation.

"...Readable, humorous at times but always a heart felt message. Not a difficult book, but definitely a step up as far as it’s literary value...." Read more

"...the novel forward, as well as her style, which contained some original descriptive passages, such as her description of the Indian child, nicknamed,..." Read more

"This cleverly written, engrossing tale of Marietta/Taylor Greer's escape from her birthplace in Kentucky, and what eventually happens to her in..." Read more

"I love Kingsolver and have enjoyed her other books. I like her writing style, her subtle humor, and the circustances her characters find themselves..." Read more

224 customers mention "Story"190 positive34 negative

Customers find the story close, real, and interesting. They also appreciate the incredible descriptions and the unforgettable characters. Readers also say the book is powerful, warm, and tangible. They are satisfied with the honesty and real feelings.

"...I thoroughly enjoyed the use of description in creating and recreating memories and events, It put me right there in the car with Taylor as she..." Read more

"...Readable, humorous at times but always a heart felt message. Not a difficult book, but definitely a step up as far as it’s literary value...." Read more

"...All of that aside, THE BEAN TREE is a moving and sometimes funny story of a poor but brave girl who has been raised by a single mother who knows how..." Read more

"...of the book as the author weaves a complicated story with beautiful metaphors & analogies." Read more

216 customers mention "Characters"206 positive10 negative

Customers find the characters engaging and diverse. They also say the story is filled with misfits and a human family out of misfit.

"...The variety of characters was both believable and interesting...." Read more

"...She knows how to paint a character well enough that I was able to picture right away what these characters were all about...." Read more

"...Kingsolver is an incredible storyteller. The characters are unique and come alive...." Read more

"...The supporting characters do their job well...." Read more

93 customers mention "Emotional tone"91 positive2 negative

Customers find the emotional tone of the book heartwarming, involved, and caring. They also say the storytelling is heartfelt and top notch. Readers mention that the book is a book of hope, love, and optimism. They appreciate the subtle messages woven throughout and the optimism that flows through the heroines.

"...Readable, humorous at times but always a heart felt message. Not a difficult book, but definitely a step up as far as it’s literary value...." Read more

"This is Barbara Kingsolver at her best. She pulls at your emotions and challenges your assumptions and makes you want to keep on reading because you..." Read more

"...It was the perfect, simple yet profound, kind of read I was looking for. I am looking forward to reading more by this author." Read more

"...The book is heart warming story about a little 3 year old abused Native American girl (named Turtle), and the tough young single woman who finds her..." Read more

31 customers mention "Relatable"28 positive3 negative

Customers find the book relatable, mentioning it discusses many social concerns, has a beautiful lesson about prejudice, and is a great observer of people and their everyday struggles. They also say the book has s great message about people in the world who have, shows uncommon strength and clarity of values, and provides a good insight into the American Indian culture. Customers also mention that the author tackles global issues like a pro and is calm and problem solving.

"...first novel, this is a great read, interesting characters, and the social mission and kind people dealing with the human needs of immigration, which..." Read more

"...Some of the passages and descriptions of human behavior are wonderfully real...." Read more

"...Yet she reveals herself to be a person of great strength, love and humanity...." Read more

"...Kingsolver's writing and humor, and the charm of her characters, naïve yet wise...." Read more

19 customers mention "Originality"16 positive3 negative

Customers find the book unusual, quirky, and sweet. They also say the story takes a while to get into, but is worth the wait.

"This a unique, story as irrelevant today as when it was penned many years ago. It chronicles..." Read more

"This was a enjoyable book...quirky and funny...." Read more

"This was an unusual, quirky story, that at first I wasn't sure about but ultimately drew me into the storyline and characters...." Read more

"I have never been disappointed in a Kingsolver novel. She develops such unique, charming and interesting characters...." Read more

29 customers mention "Pacing"16 positive13 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some find the writing style smooth, fast-paced, and engaging, while others say it's a little slow for them.

"...The few extra dollars are probably worth it! This was a fairly quick, easy read and the landscapes are damn accurate...." Read more

"I liked the point of view of the book but was a very slow read...." Read more

"...The settings are beautifully laid out at your feet. The pace is calm and unhurried, but not a single word is extraneous." Read more

"I loved this book. Barbara Kingsolver 's writing style is smooth, fast paced, and engaging...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

L.D
5.0 out of 5 stars What A Pleasant Surprise!
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2014
Verified Purchase
The title of this book caught my attention. I am so glad it did! What a pleasure it was getting to know Taylor! I loved the way the story was told consistently from her viewpoint. . . her 'voice' was heard through-out, even when I thought she 'had it wrong' it was always clear that this was Taylors story, and she would reach her own conclusions, in her own time and in her own way.

The variety of characters was both believable and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed the use of description in creating and recreating memories and events, It put me right there in the car with Taylor as she traveled cross country. I saw what she saw, and was able to laugh, and cry right along with her.

Lou Ann is an important part of this story. Emotionally she and Taylor are very different, yet together they are the epitome of every female psyche. In truth, they both teach lessons, and what is life, except a process of growth? I applaud the author for keeping me guessing until the very end. . .there was more than one possibility of course and I love a book that isn't predictable. This book is not a 'Love story', but it does examine what the word truly means. It is not a political satire, but it does make one question whether man's governments will ever accomplish the most basic of human needs. It is not a religious book, but it does 'poke fun' at hypocrisy. It does not get bogged down with moralization, but it does tell the stories of people who's lives are molded, by their economic situation in life. It also offers hope that the 'good' can and often does win out over 'evil'.

I am so glad to discover this author, and hope to savor the rest of her books!
3 people found this helpful
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Lostdog1
4.0 out of 5 stars great book
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
I’ve just started following Kingsolver and have yet to be disappointed. Readable, humorous at times but always a heart felt message. Not a difficult book, but definitely a step up as far as it’s literary value. I’ll be reading a lot of this author in the future.
16 people found this helpful
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Ratmammy
5.0 out of 5 stars A little girl named Turtle....
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2002
Verified Purchase
THE BEAN TREES is a novel about a young woman, Taylor Greer, who leaves her home state of Kentucky to find a life outside of what she knew - growing up to become barefoot and pregnant. She wanted more than that, but she did not really know what she wanted.
She finally arrives in Tucson and meets a woman who wants to give Taylor a 3 year old child. Taylor promises to take care of the little girl. Whether the woman is the child's mother, we never do find out. But Taylor does find out right away that something is not right with the child. Turtle, the name Taylor gives the child, does not talk. Taylor also finds bruises over the child's body while giving her a bath. Maybe Taylor has saved this child from a horrible life, but now she is responsible for the welfare of this little Indian american girl.
But now what to do? No money and no job, and she's got a kid she never planned on having.
Taylor and Turtle end up in a small town in Arizona and after meeting several nice people who help them out, they end up living with a gal named Lou Ann, who has her own story to tell. The book is intertwined with the stories of both women so we get to know them both very well.
Along the way they meet and get involved with a hispanic couple, Estevan and Esperanza. They are from central America, and their story is a mystery, except we know Esperanza knows very little English, and Estevan was an English teacher in his home land. The four of them, along with little Turtle, become good friends, and soon Turtle is responding to the love she is getting from her new family. But there is still the mystery of what really happened to little Turtle....
THE BEAN TREES is the 2nd Barbara Kingsolver novel I have read, THE POISONWOOD BIBLE being the other one. This second novel reads quite differently than POISONWOOD BIBLE did, and I guess one reason is that THE BEAN TREES was written over a decade before. Ms. Kingsolver's skills as a story teller greatly improved between these two novels, but that does not mean THE BEAN TREES is a poorly written book. On the contrary, I found it very well written and enjoyable to read.
The feel of both books is very different. While POISONWOOD had the feel of an epic, THE BEAN TREES was a much more simpler novel (being a much shorter novel helped!) I can't say whether one book was better than the other. I liked both equally. What I'm finding I really like about Ms Kingsolver's books is that she is very good at character developement. She knows how to paint a character well enough that I was able to picture right away what these characters were all about. They were not shallow one dimensional people, but people I could care about.
Obviously, I am giving THE BEAN TREES a glowing recommendation. It was probably one of the better books I read in 2001.
130 people found this helpful
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Bettye R. Clement
5.0 out of 5 stars a beautiful story
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2024
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This is Barbara Kingsolver at her best. She pulls at your emotions and challenges your assumptions and makes you want to keep on reading because you know there’s still a lot of real life to come.d
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Top reviews from other countries

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Joan
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read
Reviewed in Canada on May 6, 2024
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Barbara Kingsolver is among my favorite writers - I always sink into her books with a great sense of enjoyment, knowing that she will tell an interesting tale and add to my knowledge of places and people outside my lived experience.
One person found this helpful
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Bookfee
5.0 out of 5 stars Bezaubernde Geschichte
Reviewed in Germany on April 4, 2024
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Dieser Roman führt einen in eine völlig andere Welt und lässt einen so interessante Menschen treffen, dass man ihn wirklich lesen sollte.
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Lola5
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2024
Verified Purchase
Beautiful story. beautifully written. So enjoyable.
It has everything: well drawn characters, that sense of place, a fast flowing pace and delicious humour

Loved it.
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Esther Tarszisz
5.0 out of 5 stars griping
Reviewed in Australia on July 8, 2023
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Couldn’t put down and finished in the wee hours of the morning on the same day as starting . Masterful storytelling with heart.
One person found this helpful
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Eni Bley
4.0 out of 5 stars Leitura muito gostosa
Reviewed in Brazil on July 12, 2014
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Livro bem escrito, com marcadas posições de valores éticos, defende uma vida com propósitos
meritórios e a leitura é muito prazerosa.
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