The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

This novel is the story of a young woman named Taylor Greer and her “adopted” baby she has named Turtle. But “Taylor” isn’t her original name. The name she was given when she was born is Marietta Greer. She decided that she wanted to change her name when she left the small town of Pittman Kentucky. A fresh start would allow her a new name. She worked at the Pittman County Hospital for five and a half years and while working there, she helped her mom out with the bills and saved for a car – her ticket out of town. She bought a ’55 Volkswagen bug with no windows, no back seat, and no starter. Since a name is not something you pick for yourself, she decided to let the gas tank decide. The name of the town she stopped in would be her name – Taylorville. While driving through Cherokee nation, she stopped at a diner to get some coffee and a burger. When she was going back out to her car, a woman tapped on her windshield. The woman went around to the other side of the car, unwrapped the blanket she was wrapped in, and wrapped in around the baby, just before she put it in Taylor’s car.
“Take the baby,” she said.
“Where do you want me to take it?”
“Just take it.”
“Is this your kid?”
“My dead sister’s.”
“Are you saying you want to give me this child?”
“Yes.”
Taylor decides to name the baby Turtle because of her clinginess and quietness, which reminds her of the mud turtles in Kentucky. Taylor believes the child is around the age of three, but still does not talk.
The story goes on, following the pair through the new beginnings of both of their lives – their relationships, hard times, and heart aches.

This book was put onto my booklist when Mrs. Fletcher brought in her books to the classroom. She had mentioned that many people have started the book and not finished it, so I was a little skeptical of it, but I added it anyways. My mom had actually read the book and gave it to me, so I gave it a shot, and absolutely loved it. It starts off a little slow, but definitely picks up. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.