The Bean Trees is a novel written by Barbara Kingsolver about a young woman, Taylor Greer, who leaves her hometown of Pittman, Kentucky and sets off on a journey of personal growth in search of a better life. The story follows Taylor as she strikes out alone and takes charge of her life, meeting various people who influence her growth and transformation, including a orphaned Cherokee infant, Turtle, whom she takes under her wing. Poverty, gender equality, the environment, adoption, family, and individual identity are themes Kingsolver explores in this inspiring story of the triumph and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The characters are well-crafted, the plot engaging, with an evocative and colorful writing style. I found the conclusion of the novel particularly memorable and uplifting, with a positive message about the potential of individuals to make their own destiny. This novel may not appeal to everyone, and is a bit slow at parts, but certainly is thought-provoking and worth the read.