Comments (31)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 31 items
Aug 21, 2023
"The writing is so beautiful. Every line is like a poem. A lyrical and haunting story about the search for home and identity." - Andrea K.
Oct 18, 2022
Such a sad book----foster care, murder, poor choices. The story is unforgettable.
Apr 10, 2021rclane rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Have you had the experience that you hate a book terribly, that you hate it so much you eventually pass through the eye of the maelstrom, come out the other side and think "that book really made me feel"? I almost had that with this book.…
Nov 13, 2020tschliinz rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This has been my favorite book since about the fifth grade. Now I'm almost 24 and I still love it dearly.
Aug 02, 2020esrobbins rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
The writing of this is beautiful but I just couldn’t finish it. I really disliked the characters and felt like the main character was going from one tragedy to another which I think is the author’s point but after 400 pages (and another…
May 09, 2020marybellinger rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Sad but gripping. A heartbreaking tale of foster care poor parenting.
May 05, 2020AnnSkye rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A very unusual read but enjoyable.
Dec 09, 2018
I like this book very much. I'm still reading it. I have to keep reminding myself it is not a memoir or autobiography. Very well done.
Dec 06, 2018Jen_nifer rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Great read! As I was reading, I thought readers who enjoyed The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt would also enjoy this book.
Aug 04, 2018RAVEN ALLBERRY rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This book was an absolute page turner. I read this entire book in one session. The book follows through Astrid's experience in foster care after her mother commits murder. As a former foster care youth, there were many situations that were…
May 05, 2018JCLCherylMY rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Having re-read this book recently, I found it as good as the first time (1999). Even though I remembered much of Astrid and Ingrid's difficult story, I found myself drawn in because the book is beautifully written -- the language and…
Mar 17, 2018SPPL_Vio rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
The writing, at times, comes off as prose poetry. It's beautiful and lyrical yet poisonous, just like the titular white oleander. The plot is rough- it follows Astrid growing in foster care as her mother is in prison for murder. There are…
Mar 06, 2018
Astrid must grow up quickly in foster care after her mother is imprisoned for murder.
Jan 08, 2018
Wow. I enjoyed reading this book and it tugged at my heart strings. The ending was not my favorite but overall a great read.
DonnaMeness
Dec 06, 2017
Impressive debut!! Janet Fitch's White Oleander, White Oleander is the story of a young girl, Astrid Magnussen, who in the beginning of the book lives in Los Angeles. Although Astrid has a mother who is as sharp as a new knife -Ingrid…
Dec 06, 2014WVMLStaffPicks rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The ever fascinating theme of the mother daughter-relationship is brilliantly explored in this saga of a young woman forced to experience a series of foster homes while her own eccentric mother serves a jail term. Despite their separation,…
Mar 06, 2014Sonia_Persaud49 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Hmmm... This book wasn't exactly my cup of tea, there were certain parts I loved, liked, disliked and strongly hated..
Lauraparr
Feb 24, 2014Lauraparr rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A story of survival and search of identity. Beautifully written but slow paced towards the end.
Jul 27, 2013Booker70 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I just could not put this book down.
deesju13
May 06, 2013deesju13 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The story is an absolute page-turner. Could not put it down. Ingrid M. is so nutty of a self-absorbed person that I found myself too getting pulled in by her character. Though this may be obvious, keep in mind what an white oleander is and…
Feb 15, 2013kindrabirss rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I love this book. I have read it several times and each time I can't put it down. While the content is sad and tragic, the main character is strong, resilient and never throws a pity party for herself. She is constantly seeing beauty in…
LMOH
Jan 16, 2013LMOH rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
What an excellent book! The voice of Astrid is so believable, even as she grows from a young child to an adult. The story is harrowing and if you like dysfunctional mothers, Ingrid Magnussen is a classic. The book illustrates the…
Nov 07, 2012ggayle40 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
An exquisite novel with characters that jump off the page. An unforgettable tale of love, fear, acceptance and redemption. This book is tied for my all-time favorite book.
Apr 09, 2012Pepperbot rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The movie brought me to the book, and I was not disappointed, even though (in my mind) I was going backwards! Wow, what vivid characterization, and what ridiculous and heartbreaking schemes. It's the story of how a daughter moves away from…
whatbluesoundslike
Jan 25, 2012
This story was too adult for me and for most of my teenaged class. It focused on inappropriate relationships, exploitation of sexuality, negative images of males, murder, death, and essentially -- it's you against everyone. It's not…