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cover
2.5 

Title: Flight Behaviour
Authors: Kingsolver, Barbara
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 597
Year: 2012
Language: English
Description: Change is in the air for young mother Dellarobia Turnbow and her friends and family in the small Appalachian community where they eke out a living. Their impoverished settlement becomes the centre of world attention with the appearance of a seemingly miraculous natural phenomenon.

Both dazzling and alarming, this marvel is the catalyst for Dellarobia to question everything she has always known, as well as presenting an opportunity for the author's background as a scientist to come to the fore in a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of climate change and the fragility of the natural world. [Big read, larger font]

Comments from Groups:

We all enjoyed this book. The author's descriptive writing made the countryside and daily lives come alive. We liked the mixture of science and common sense. Little River 001

Despite enjoying other books by this author, we felt this was too long-winded. We mostly enjoyed the 'science' of the butterflies, rather than the plot. Ohope 006

A book that created a lot of discussion. Most of us enjoyed the book athough there was some disappointment with the ending. Auckland 105

Wonderful! Kingsolver at her best! Good discussion. Nelson 014

Two readers really loved the book and rated it highly. Others liked it but thought it too long. Provided a good discussion though. Wellington 008

Many loved Kingsolver's lyrical writing style but found her rather preachy and laboured. Plenty in here to learn and discuss! Auckland 063

Jolly good read. Makes you think. Christchurch 009

Categories: Fiction, Big reads, Community, Environmental, Relationships, Science & Technology, America, Blind Low Vision library, Larger font

Reviews

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By: MATAM 006 2025-07-09 09:12:09
4.5 
Enjoyed by all. Found the facts about butterflies fascinating.

By: CHCH 037 2024-12-04 14:31:57
4 
Generally well received, the majority really enjoyed the writing and the storyline. Good character development and descriptive language/humour.

By: WAIHI 004 2023-07-27 16:09:27
4 
Lots of detailed discussion as the book covered multiple issues and the characters developed. Even though it was written over 10 years ago it was felt to still be very relevant - climate change, religion, the manipulation by media etc.

By: WELL 153 2022-09-30 12:32:16
4 
Only half the group managed to finish this book. Most who did felt that the butterfly migration was a 'device' to push the author's views on climate change. However, the description of life in mid west America was very raw and unsettling. The theme of 'hope' was well carried throughout the book and the description of the butterfly colony very interesting. The writing was very good, as expected from Barbara Kingsolver, but most of the group felt this novel was not as good as 'The Poisonwood Bible' or 'The Lacuna'.

By: NELS 062 2022-09-30 12:25:41
4.5 
One of the rare books this year to have won unanimous approval. Excellent use of language and well portrayed character description. Climate change issue a key feature as was the Monarch butterfly.

By: TEAWA 001 2022-09-28 15:03:34
5 
Thoroughly enjoyed by all.

By: ALEXA 004 2022-09-28 15:03:05
4 
We loved this book. A big read.

By: DUNED 022 2022-09-28 15:02:14
5 
We all loved it.

By: NELS 043 2022-09-28 15:01:23
4 
On the whole our bookclub really enjoyed Barbara Kingsolver's book - a fictional story with lots of scientific information about monarch butterflies woven into it.

By: AUCK 302 2022-09-28 14:58:24
3.5 
All appreciated the beautiful language and descriptions, but not many were gripped by the story initially.

By: NORTH 003 2022-09-28 14:57:18
4 
Some felt the book could have been edited, and shorter. We enjoyed learning about butterfly behaviour; and the witty metaphors. The majority enjoyed Barbara Kingsolver's writing.

By: NELS 071 2019-11-18 14:08:28
4 
Most of us loved this book but some felt it lost its magic in the middle. The opening chapters were wonderfully written and most liked the ending.

By: ALEXA 001 2019-05-27 14:48:55
4.5 
A big read, enjoyed by all.

By: MARTIN 003 2019-03-13 11:56:53
2.5 
Interesting scientific facts and well written but most didn't finish it. Too long and the storyline wasn't strong enough to sustain interest.

By: CHCH 378 2018-08-23 17:23:37
2.5 
This was our first book in the club and I'm sad to say only one of us liked it. I think most found it too far fetched!

 
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