Animal Dreams (Kingsolver) - Book Reviews

Book Reviews
Barbara Kingsolver is one of an increasing number of American novelists who are trying to rewrite the political, cultural and spiritual relationships between our country's private and public spheres. The traditional approach has been to use small figures on a large canvas to demonstrate social theories or patterns. But those theories and patterns seem to have failed, sometimes spectacularly. Like others who are looking for a new approach, Ms. Kingsolver prefers to concentrate upon particulars. In Animal Dreams she demonstrates a special gift for the vivid evocation of landscape and of her characters' state of mind. That she leaves open spaces, that she doesn't quite integrate everything into a perfect system, is probably to her credit.
Jane Smiley - New York Times Book Review


Rich, complex, witty . . . This is a sweet book, full of bitter pain; a beautiful weaving of the light and the dark. This one will be with us for a long time.
Washington Post Book World


Kingsolver is giving a new voice to our literature. Animal Dreams solidly establishes Kingsolver as someone who will give her public more than one great book.
Los Angeles Times Book Review


Animal Dreams literally bursts with life. Its description of how one woman finds her way back from the edge of despair seems absolutely perfect...Animal Dreams leaves the reader filled with wonder and hope.
San Francisco Chronicle