Flight Behavior
By Barbara Kingsolver
- Release Date: 2012-11-06
- Genre: Literary Fiction
Description
New York Times Bestseller
"An intricate story that entwines considerations of faith and faithlessness, inquiry, denial, fear and survival in gorgeously conceived metaphor. Kingsolver has constructed a deeply affecting microcosm of a phenomenon that is manifesting in many different tragic ways, in communities and ecosystems all around the globe.” — Seattle Times
A truly stunning and unforgettable work from the extraordinary New York Times bestselling author of The Lacuna (winner of the Orange Prize), The Poisonwood Bible (nominated for the Pulitzer Prize), and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
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 represents contemporary American fiction at its finest.
Reviews
Fantastically thought-provoking
5By RMerklKingsolver's characters filled the four chambers of my heart, each with a different feeling: disappointment, empathy, hopelessness, pride in their dogged resilience. It is too easy to simply despise a character, but I must admit, Kingsolver's ability to put me in Dellarobia's brain led me to hope a terrific accident befell Hester. More than once. We all know there are reasons for characters' behaviors, though, and Kingsolver did not disappoint. The best scene that captured the urban-rural conflict/misunderstandings and the disconnect between what our society understands about each other (and the issues?) happens when a man is handing out carbon footprint flyers. Everything about this scene is perfect. The setting. The categories and questions. The reactions of the man and Dellarobia. Read this book. Discuss it with others. It made me think about so much. Thank you.Rush to an ending.
3By DyslexicDOGI agree with most reviewers who found this novel lacking in depth and commitment to these characters who's thoughts and feelings we hear in great detail. But it was as if someone else wrapped up this story in a hurried manner. It was as if a chapter was left out. Suddenly a main character is gone and we're left to wonder what transpired. It also bothered me that the some of the major events, like Monarchs in a snowstorm, are pretty much fictional, based on my research. Sadly, I had just finished reading the Lacuna, which I loved. Very disappointing, but not typical of this writer.reward for intelligent reading
5By MackWesthighly intelligent prose and full of philosophical challenges.Boring
1By Barn13Rarely do I not finish a book but this was one of those rare occasions. Read 75% of it thinking it would get better but it never did. Just couldn't torture myself any more.Overall good
4By Maria PeaceI picked up this book thinking it would be about a housewife wanting to get away from her disappointing life. It turned out this this novel encompassed so much more. I found the story beyond the main character's family life compelling. I do have to say, at times, when the story revolved around climate change, it felt heavy handed. I know about climate change and do not doubt it is happening, but the book began to feel preachy. It was annoying, but it did not stop me from reading the book. By the end, I was sad that it ended because I did enjoy the novel overall.Flight behavior
4By La GiteEngrossing and beautifully written. It mostly escapes being "preachy" through fine characters and a well wrought story.just could not read this!
1By CathyOMSorry to say I too could not get into this book. I really disliked the characters and it was so tedious to read I gave up. Such a disappointment.Plaintive, Searing, extraordinary
5By tunefiendKingsolver is amazing. I've never read anyone who captures the stark yet dull terror of the poverty of mind so evident in our American south. Raised in poor Appalachia myself she brings it to life yet imbues it with dignity and humanity. A wonderful book by a gifted writer. So grateful for the hours I spent in its company.Love the author but not this book
1By Bay BettinaI've read just about every book this author has ever written and enjoyed those books thoroughly- esp. The Poisonwood Bible and the Bean Trees serries. This review feels like a betrayal to my previous experience with Kingsolver, and I say this as someone who's career has involved trying to increase awareness about climate change. I found this book as tedious as a toothache. It felt like she was trying way too hard to make readers care about climate change (which I didn't even think was possible) and way too little about the heart of the book. The characters were not developed well and i found them to be fairly unlikeable and dull. I hope she is hard at work on another novel that surpasses this one.Not worth the time or money
2By D-Moore NYCI thought this book was a complete waste of time. The writing was good, included a couple of laughs. Definitely not worth the money.Shallow
2By CalwickstromAbout halfway through this book and have not yet "warmed up" to the characters, especially D, the main one. Stop complaining ! I get it! I probably won't finish it-- unusual for me.This was a flight to reality!
5By ShowellcaThis novel has so much information that we must heed and not ignore. Barbara Kingsolver has done it again. I am one of her biggest fans!Moving and thoughtful
5By pslingKingsolver combines a plea about global warming with a thoughtful portrait of a community for whom scientists and environmentalists are an entirely foreign species.Good Read
5By leenie2An uncomfortable truth is the background for this work of fiction. We don't know how the story ends, but we have an idea. Thought provoking; almost couldn't put it down.Flight Behavior
3By Peg1gyBarbara Kingsolver starts off strong in this book. She constructs an interesting story with good people. The novel is up todate and full of modern references. The story lines are easy to follow, maybe a little too simple. There is no strong ending as with the problems presented in the book have no answers, and there the reader is left hanging. When I read a book of fiction I want an ending! A novel is a make believe story, make an ending, for Pete's sake!
