Summary and Analysis In this chapter, things go from bad to worse. Taylor finds out from Cynthia, the social worker, that because she doesn’t have a legal claim to Turtle, the state of Arizona could take Turtle away from her. Because she already blames herself for what happened to Turtle […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 13Summary and Analysis Chapters 11-12
Summary and Analysis Lou Ann’s self-confidence increases when she begins working at Red Hot Mama’s salsa factory. Within no time she receives a promotion. Because of Lou Ann’s more positive self-image, Taylor enjoys her company more than usual. However, Lou Ann still feels that she is “completely screwed up.” She […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 11-12Summary and Analysis Chapters 9-10
Summary and Analysis In Chapters 9 and 10, Taylor is confronted with issues concerning people who suffer through no fault of their own. At the beginning of Chapter 9, Estevan shows up on Taylor’s doorstep to tell her that Esperanza has tried to commit suicide. Taylor notes that Estevan is […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 9-10Summary and Analysis Chapters 7-8
Summary and Analysis Taylor’s commitment to Turtle becomes a priority in her life. Returning home from a picnic in the desert, Taylor has to stop the car quickly because a mother quail and her babies are crossing the road. Kingsolver includes this episode to emphasize the responsibilities of motherhood and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 7-8Summary and Analysis Chapters 5-6
Summary and Analysis Kingsolver shifts, for the last time, to a first person point of view, allowing Taylor to tell her own story as she experiences and perceives it. After eating breakfast at Burger Derby on several consecutive mornings and getting to know Sandi, a young waitress at the Derby, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 5-6Summary and Analysis Chapter 4
Summary and Analysis Once again, Kingsolver shifts points of view to limited third person. She also shifts the setting to Lou Ann’s house in Tucson, Arizona. Lou Ann now has a baby boy named Dwayne Ray. Her mother (Ivy Logan) and grandmother (Granny Logan), both from Kentucky, are visiting to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 4Summary and Analysis Chapter 3
Summary and Analysis Kingsolver now shifts the point of view back to the first person and writes from Taylor’s perspective. Taylor and the little girl, whom she names Turtle because the girl holds onto Taylor like a mud turtle, are on the road again, and Taylor is in “hog heaven.” […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 3Summary and Analysis Chapter 2
Summary and Analysis Kingsolver shifts the point of view in Chapter 2 to limited third person, relating information as it is seen and understood by Lou Ann Ruiz. Lou Ann, who, like Taylor, is a native Kentuckian, lives in Tucson, Arizona (an environment quite familiar to Kingsolver, who moved there […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 2Summary and Analysis Chapter 1
Summary and Analysis Kingsolver introduces the two major characters in the novel by writing Chapters 1 through 4 in alternating points of view. chapters 1 and 3 (and the rest of the novel) are written in the first person. Taylor Greer, the spirited protagonist of the novel, tells the story […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 1Character List
Alice Jean Stamper Greer Taylor’s mother, who supports herself and Taylor by working as a housekeeper for wealthy people. She maintains a positive attitude despite hard work and the responsibility of raising a child alone. Her love enables Taylor to become self-confident and independent. Foster Greer Taylor’s father, who left […]
Read more Character List