payment page
Study Tools
Overview
The Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver’s first novel, was published in 1988
. It tells the story of Taylor Greer, a young woman who leaves her Kentucky home for a road trip and takes custody of an abandoned child, whom she names Turtle. Settling in Tucson, Arizona, Taylor builds an unconventional family of misfits and outcasts. The novel explores themes of motherhood, friendship, and resilience, offering a heartwarming narrative that delves into issues of immigration, cultural identity, and the power of chosen family. It is followed by the sequel Pigs in Heaven, published in 1993.Read the full book summary, an in-depth character analysis of Taylor Greer, and explanations of important quotes from The Bean Trees.
