49 pages 1 hour read

Barbara Kingsolver

The Bean Trees

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Barbara Kingsolver's The Bean Trees is praised for its rich character development and vivid storytelling, offering a heartfelt exploration of human relationships and resilience. Some critics feel the plot is predictable, but many appreciate the novel's warmth and humor. Overall, it is considered an engaging read that thoughtfully addresses social issues.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Bean Trees?

Readers who enjoy The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver typically appreciate character-driven stories with strong themes of resilience and found family. Similar audiences may enjoy The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, which also explore themes of personal growth and female empowerment.

Recommended

Reading Age

14+years

Lexile Level

900L

Book Details

Genre
Realistic Fiction
Education
Modern Classic Fiction
Topics
Relationships
Animals
Depression / Suicide
Themes
Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Emotions/Behavior: Courage
Emotions/Behavior: Fear