I found White Oleander to be a chilling yet well written tale of a rather disturbing mother-daughter relationship. I found the determination of the daughter despite the callousness of the mother enlightening. I also appreciated the other characters that were built around the daughter such as some of the adults in here life that served as foster parents.

This was a fantastic read. Tragically beautiful descriptions and realistic relationships. Astrid's journey through the different foster homes and her struggle to fit in with each is something we can all relate to in some way. The struggles Astrid goes through with her mother are equally captivating. Anyone who enjoyed The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath will find something to love in this book.

Depressing as are most of Oprah's picks.

This is a fascinating book about a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship. It's one of my favorites!

I missed the movie and just now found time to read the book. Now I know why it stayed so long on the best seller list - it is painfully awesome. Do mothers like Ingrid really exist? Are the foster systems in the US really that terrible...the case workers that unfeeling? I pray no is the answer....

Wonderful book. I learned so much about the foster care system.

very gripping, yet disturbing novel about a girl's journey through foster care while her mother is in prison.

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a well written tale of a girl, Aatrid- making her way into womanhood- through a series of failed foster parents and a mother that's as much conniving as alluring. it gives you crisp details into a wide spectrum of characters in many different situations- and the outcomes.

I loved this book

I could not get through it

This book is exquisitely written, and although not a "happy" book, the ending was hopeful. An unique telling of the "coming-of-age" story that will give you pause to examine your own life.

This is a beautifully written, heartwrenching tale. The gripping and intellegent language sets it apart as we turn each page hoping for Astrid's release from Ingrid's poisonous love. Very unique!

This book was hard to get through. I liked the movie better.

Ms. Fitch writes with hauntingly poetic prose that is a beauty in itself.

The story of Ingrid, a brilliant poet imprisoned for murder, and her daughter, Astrid, who makes her own journey through a series of foster homes.

White oleander, a beautiful but poisonous plant, is a metaphor for motherhood in this first novel by Janet Fitch.

Powerful; disturbing. Opened my eyes to what goes on in the foster care system. Am thanking God for my safe home.

This is one of my favorite books. If you saw the movie, the book (as usual) is much better.

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