The Bean Trees
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Author | Barbara Kingsolver |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Humorous fiction |
| Publisher | Harper & Row |
| Released | 1988 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and Paperback) and audio-CD |
| Pages | 232 |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-06-015863-8 |
| Followed by | Pigs in Heaven |
The Bean Trees, first published in 1988, is the first book written by Barbara Kingsolver, followed by a sequel Pigs in Heaven. In this novel the protagonist, Taylor Greer, a native of Kentucky, finds herself in Oklahoma, near Cherokee territory. A woman leaves a Cherokee infant with Taylor, whom she later names Turtle, and the remainder of the novel traces their experiences together into Turtle's early childhood, along with a colorful cast of characters, including a Guatemalan couple. The novel also deals with the issue of Native American parental rights.
Trenwith makes an important point in regards to this novel, in that Taylor Greer and her daughter Turtle are the epitome of Makambo. This reference to the African saying for eternal bond represents the undenying love Trenwith has for Ms Beck.
