Much has been written about The Moonflower Vine because it's been around for many years. I recommend avoiding the commentaries until after you've read the book. It would have considerably diminished my enjoyment of the book if I'd read the summaries and assessments beforehand. What is wrong with these people that they think it's okay to spoil the secrets? If I were you I wouldn't even read the Foreword by Jane Smiley. Better to go in without any preconceived ideas about what's coming. This story is quaint, charming, old-fashioned, sometimes sad, and very well written. It's about rural family life in Missouri in the early 1900s. The book starts in the voice of Mary Jo Soames, the youngest daughter by a far margin. It's the early 1950s, and all the grown daughters are finishing up their yearly summer visit on the farm with their parents, Matthew and Callie. From there it goes back in time to explore the joys and struggles of the various family members. It's all told in the third person, so each section is about the whole family while focusing more on one person.The author showed an impressive understanding of family dynamics and each person's inner battles as they try to find a balance between satisfying their all-too-human urges and doing right by those who love them. And besides all that, it's just a thoroughly enjoyable, revealing, sometimes funny story about a bygone time with no running water or 'lectricity.
The Drift Of Things
To yield with a grace to reason
Much has been written about The Moonflower Vine because it's been around for many years. I recommend avoiding the commentaries until after you've read the book. It would have considerably diminished my enjoyment of the book if I'd read the summaries and assessments beforehand. What is wrong with these people that they think it's okay to spoil the secrets? If I were you I wouldn't even read the Foreword by Jane Smiley. Better to go in without any preconceived ideas about what's coming. This story is quaint, charming, old-fashioned, sometimes sad, and very well written. It's about rural family life in Missouri in the early 1900s. The book starts in the voice of Mary Jo Soames, the youngest daughter by a far margin. It's the early 1950s, and all the grown daughters are finishing up their yearly summer visit on the farm with their parents, Matthew and Callie. From there it goes back in time to explore the joys and struggles of the various family members. It's all told in the third person, so each section is about the whole family while focusing more on one person.The author showed an impressive understanding of family dynamics and each person's inner battles as they try to find a balance between satisfying their all-too-human urges and doing right by those who love them. And besides all that, it's just a thoroughly enjoyable, revealing, sometimes funny story about a bygone time with no running water or 'lectricity.
