I had to read the book White Oleander by Janet Fitch for English this year, because we wanted to compare the book to the movie. I have to say, the book is amazing. The writing style was so delicately beautiful while coming from the first person of a girl who ages from about twelve or fourteen to eighteen while under unimaginable stresses. It's lyrical and artfully weaves figurative language in for a gorgeous experience. Plus, there's so much symbolism planted in it - it's basically a book that screams "I am what happens when hard work comes out right."
The story, while well done, is kind of creepy, in a few ways, though. The story follows Astrid Magnussen, a girl who's mother is quite a character: an incredibly strong, independent woman who lives the life of a cynical poet and takes pride in her Norse ancestors. Together, they have traveled the world, enjoying the poetic wonders. However, one day her mother falls in love...and that brings her world crashing down. Put in a nutshell, some Los Angeles hotshot plays with her mother's heart, causing her to break all the rules she'd carefully instituted - rules that kept her at arm's length and strong. After sleeping with the guy only to find out he had to go, he had a date [with another woman], she takes the insult to an extreme level: murder. In the wake of her actions, Astrid is thrust into the world of foster homes, and grows up in a pretty tumultuous way.
There are some aspects that will make your skin crawl, the kind that a girl will run into learning the do's and don'ts of life, but the book is incredibly powerful. It's such a beautifully written story, and it gets under your skin. I loved it despite having it as necessary reading.
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