When confused Monarch butterflies roost for the winter on a
mountain top in Appalachian Tennessee rather than in their customary Mexico,
the phenomenon attracts the attention of the residents of the poverty-stricken small
town in the foothills below, of the local and national media, and of a
scientist whose life’s work has been studying this unique insect species. To some, it is a religious miracle; to others
a possible tourist attraction; and to the concerned researcher, a disturbing
example of the effects of climate change and the possible extinction of a species. Kingsolver is herself a trained biologist in
addition to a renowned novelist and Appalachia is her home (and the center of
her wonderful Animal, Vegetable,
Miracle). However, I was a bit put
off by the stereotyped characters, particularly of some of the “natives.” Her protagonist, Dellarobia Turnbow, does
develop into a more believable person by the end of the book, and the portrait
of her seven-year-old son, Preston, is touching. Not my favorite of her books, but a quick and
engaging read wrapped around a Big Question.
433 pp.
No comments:
Post a Comment