Animal Dreams

This is, unequivocally, one of the most boring books I've ever read. Makes Hemmingway look exciting...

I found this book emotionally haunting, filled with the main character's yearning for what might have been. Kingsolver does a brilliant job of conveying the love, regrets, dreams, and hopes of the characters, and of tying this to political struggles of the oppressed.

I bought this copy to share the tale with my mom, who is currently volunteering on the Navajo Reservation, close to where this book is set - she's enjoying it as much as I did. This book deals with a number of hard truths that have been below many folks' radar: corporate pollution, elder care / alzheimers, exploitation of indigenous peoples, US efforts to destabilize legitimately elected governments in South America, exploitation of working class folks & union-busting, etc. But it does it without a sense of preaching, as the lead character finds out how she is linked to many injustices, and despite regarding herself as just a transient person who doesn't want to and can't effect changes, she begins to discover that she does care, can make a difference, and can even belong to a unique place and people that can become HOME & FAMILY to her. Like most of her books, she doesn't gloss over the harsh realities of life, but still her stories end with an empowering realization that comes out of the situation, even if it doesn't solve all the characters' troubles.

I've yet to find a Barbara Kingsolver book that doesn't change my life for the better. They all touch my soul and teach me about being more human and rooted in the place I live, but they also teach me a lot of very useful science and facts, without lecturing to me. My favorite of her books, Prodigal Summer, even taught me an actual medical therapy to ward off the syndrome "Benign Positional Vertigo" which I'd been experiencing for a while without knowing what it was, yet this was just a minor thread in the plot, not the essence of it. Her books all have a level of complexity to the plot and characters that forms an intricately interlinked web of connections and results in a unity greater than the sum of the parts. I can't fully explain why I love her work - it is just something you have to experience for yourself.

Animal Dreams is smart and funny and heartbreaking all at the same time. Two sisters - one who incorrectly ascribes all of her heroic childhood acts to her sister, and the other, who really has grown up to be a hero. How much of ourselves do we define, just by believing it hard enough, and how much of that is the belief of other people around us? I often don't like books about women who have lost everything, but that's because the idea of willing victimization and an inability to function annoy me in a book (can you hear me, She's Come Undone?) but there are no victims in this book. Highly recommended.

You won't be able to keep yourself from crying as you read this girl's story. You may even find yourself relating with the main character.

that says it all, really. there are moments in the narrative that simply took my breath away. everyone should read this exquisite book.

Animal Dreams is also in my top 10 books of all time. Kingsolver is a great writer and her insights into relationships are a true gift. She weave love and humor and the Native American South West into one great read.

Book came in great condition! And the company accidentally sent me a paperback, when I ordered a hardcover, so they sent me the hardcover anyway and let me keep the paperback. I was extremely happy with this company!

Book was delivered in time specified when ordered and condition of book was very good. Would recommend this seller to others.

...Codi sees what she is shown: a holiday celebration, and some places that are very special to one who is special to her. Of course she sees mostly the good parts of this culture. She also sees cock-fighting, and some similarities between the pueblo and Grace that surprised her. And yes, some bread really does smell like love. :) It is about a person who feels REJECTED. Yes, it's pretty unrealistic how great things turn out in the end. But don't you wish reality were that way? I read this book at least once a year, because I want to pretend that these characters really exist.