Flight behavior: a novel

As Kingsolver states in the afterword to this book, one of the most special moments in her life was being declared a scientist, a title that she bestows on young Preston, the son of Dellaroba Turnbow, in her newest novel. The discovery of what Dellaroba describes as a lake of fire in the forest behind her Appalachian farmhouse turns out to be a mysterious sea of monarch butterflies. Kingsolver has discussed ecological concerns in previous works and here presents a startling and plausible fictive backdrop to discuss the affects of climate change on these insects. She balances the fictional and scientific characters with her usual skill and performs the audio version with a true feel for the characters and their sense of the butterflies. VERDICT Highly recommended as a timely and informative book on a significant current issue. ["Kingsolver draws upon her prodigious knowledge of the natural world to enlighten readers about the intricacies of the migration patterns of monarch butterflies while linking their behavior to the even more fascinating conduct of the human species. Highly recommended," read the review of the HarperCollins hc, LJ 8/12.—Ed.]—Joyce Kessel, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo

[Page 81]. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Dellarobia Turnbow is an Appalachian farm wife trapped in a loveless marriage. Her life changes when, inexplicably, thousands of orange monarch butterflies descend on the family's woodland. Some townspeople see it as a sign from God; others take advantage of the phenomenon to make money when it becomes a tourist attraction. But the arrival of a butterfly scientist opens Dellarobia's eyes to the frightening implications of climate change—and, at the same time, gives her the courage to escape the confines of her own life. Kingsolver proves an excellent reader of her own work, perfectly conveying both Dellarobia's gossipy, accented smalltown neighbors and the distinctive Jamaican accent of intellectual Ovid, the butterfly scientist. Perhaps most impressive is her narration of Ovid's explanations of the phenomenon: descriptions of monarch butterfly migration patterns and the impact of climate change could have been dry, but Kingsolver's voice is full of the character's passion, which keeps listeners engaged. The author also ably conveys Dellarobia's yearnings and her struggle to deal with the conflict between her home life and her dreams. This is a beautifully realized audio version of a compelling and fascinating novel. A Harper hardcover. (Nov.)

[Page ]. Copyright 2013 PWxyz LLC