49 pages • 1 hour read
Barbara KingsolverThe Bean Trees
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver follows Taylor Greer as she leaves Kentucky, travels across the US, and unexpectedly becomes the caretaker of a toddler named Turtle. In Tucson, Arizona, she forms a close-knit community with other marginalized individuals, including single mother Lou Ann and Guatemalan asylum seekers Estevan and Esperanza, as they navigate challenges related to poverty and discrimination. The novel references death by suicide, child sexual abuse, and racism.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Barbara Kingsolver's The Bean Trees is praised for its rich character development and vivid storytelling, offering a heartfelt exploration of human relationships and resilience. Some critics feel the plot is predictable, but many appreciate the novel's warmth and humor. Overall, it is considered an engaging read that thoughtfully addresses social issues.
Who Should Read The Bean Trees?
Readers who enjoy The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver typically appreciate character-driven stories with strong themes of resilience and found family. Similar audiences may enjoy The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, which also explore themes of personal growth and female empowerment.
RecommendedReading Age
14+yearsLexile Level
900LBook Details
Realistic Fiction
Education
Modern Classic Fiction
Relationships
Animals
Depression / Suicide
Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Emotions/Behavior: Courage
Emotions/Behavior: Fear