| Novalee Nation is unlucky. At 17 years old, she is 7 months pregnant, and finds herself stranded at an Oklahoma Wal-mart after her mean-spirited Napoleonic jerk of a boyfriend left her there on thier way to California. Luckily for Novalee, he left her in the right town.
Despite being young, homeless and preggers, Novalee is a charismatic and charming young woman. After a rough delivery on the floor of the Wal-mart, and the not unexpected betrayal by her mother, she quickly finds herself making friends with the eccentric townspeople, and being welcomed into their hearts and homes. The local religous do-gooder Sister Husband 'adopts' Novalee and her baby, while the brilliantly eccentric librarian, Forney, becomes enamored with her. Finally feeling as though she has a real home and family, Novalee starts to discover herself and her true potential, as each of her friends nurtures something special in her. The old photographer Moses teaches her a craft that becomes her passion. The young native American boy Benny Goodluck shows her hope. And her friend Lexie helps Novalee realize that she has a self worth that defies any social stigma gotten from station or situation. This book is both humorous and uplifting, though there is an underlying touch of melancholy. Novalee faces life, real life and the challenges it presents. Both loss and difficult choices play a key role. It is nice seeing characters that make many mistakes, and realize that they are neither perfect nor living in a perfect world. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book? - upbeat Time/era of story - 1980's-1999 Poverty, surviving Yes Kind of living: - general poverty story Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Pregnancy/Child rearing Yes Major part of story: Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - a teen Ethnicity/Nationality Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 20's-30's Profession/status: Eccentric/Smart/Dumb: Yes Eccentric: How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor Intelligence - below average Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 5 () United States Yes The US: - Deep South Small town? Yes Small town people: - nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee Writing Style Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - vague references only - descript of kissing - impregnation/reproduction - rape/molest Amount of dialog - significantly more descript than dialog |
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