Rating: 
Summary: Good read but a disappointing sequel
Review: After reading the "The Bean Trees", I HAD to know what happened next. I think I might have enjoyed this book a bit more if Barbara Kingsolver had not spoiled me with her previous work. I've become accustomed to her plot twists and turns (and unless I really missed the boat here), this story seemed contrived and obvious. Additionally, the characters didn't seem to behave consistently with how they were portrayed in "The Bean Trees". What happened to all the feisty and resourceful characters from the original? I have a lot of difficulty imagining that the Taylor Greer of "The Bean Trees" wouldn't have fought with her last breath to protect Turtle from the abuse the child suffered at the hands of the Cherokee Nation. No one even seemed all that concerned with identifying the perpetrator(s).I definitely appreciated all the insight into life as a Cherokee, but as a mother fervently in love with my child, I found the story to be unbelievable. I would recommend the book as a stand-alone novel, but as a sequel to "The Bean Trees" - it was a real let down.
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