A review by applesodaperson
White Oleander by Janet Fitch

reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book was a very beautiful character portrait. The main character was very complex and compelling. I really enjoyed seeing her perspectives and watching her grow. I liked how dysfunctional her relationships with other people were, especially Claire. I just felt so bad for her and her unstable situations. This book was really just about relationships to mothers and finding closure after dysfunctional relationships. It was so interesting how her feelings towards her mother switched from being so dependent on her, to absolutely hating her.
One thing I did not like was the romanticizing of predatory relationships. Specifically when she is 14 and sleeps with an adult man. The way the story talked about it felt like it didn’t see anything wrong with it, and the main character doesn’t really have any trauma from it. 
I also think the mother was just a little too evil. It was a mostly realistic portrayal of a narcissist, but sometimes it strayed a little too close to corny comic book villain evil.
Listened to on Libby.
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