Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Pigs in Heaven

Pigs in Heaven
Pigs in Heaven
Author: Barbara Kingsolver
Six-year-old Turtle Greer witnesses a freak accident at the Hoover Dam, leading to a man's dramatic rescue. But Turtle's moment of celebrity draws her into a crisis of historical proportions that will envelop not only her and her mother, Taylor, but everyone else who touched their lives in a complex web connecting their future with their past. W...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780613194204
ISBN-10: 0613194209
Publication Date: 10/2001
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 30

4.1 stars, based on 30 ratings
Publisher: Rebound by Sagebrush
Book Type: School Library Binding
Other Versions: Paperback, Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
One of my favorite writers. Great story of a woman who adopts (by accident) a Native American child and then has to fight to keep her. Endearing, interesting, well written -- food for thought.
reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 41 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Seashore reading. Good sequel to the Bean Tree. Lends to a good discussion of what is the best environment for a minority adopted child.
Readnmachine avatar reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 1476 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Wonderful, wonderful book. A sequel (or continuation) of "The Bean Trees", this one tells the story of Taylor and her adopted daughter, Turtle, when a fluke causes Turtle to be recognized as a Native American and Taylor's adoption of her is ruled illegal. This is a lovely, lyrical book, full of truth and tears and laughter. Highly recommended.
reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 57 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
The second best book ever written, with the first being its prequel, The Bean Trees. It's so romantic, with rich characters and appealing points of view. I worked as a social worker impacted by the Indian Child Welfare Act, and it's a tough history so many children faced. This has such a sweet, delightful ending that you wish all such cases would have.
reviewed Pigs in Heaven on
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of the rare occasions where the sequel outshines the first book. "Pigs in Heaven" continues Taylor & Turtle's adventures with Kingsolver's witty writing. This book kept me wanting more. Cute story!
Read All 63 Book Reviews of "Pigs in Heaven"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

isitfriday avatar reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 170 more book reviews
Barbara Kingsolver is a very talented author. she obviously learned a great deal about the indians and this book was informative as well as entertaining. IT was a nice follow up to the Bean Trees.
reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 3 more book reviews
One of my favorites. Love Barbara Kingsolver.
imablondtrustme avatar reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 10 more book reviews
Kingsolver recalls characters from "The Bean Tree" for this continuation. Three years later we find Taylor and Turtle well settled in Tuscon. While on a tour of several nearby national parks, Turtle and Taylor stop to visit Hoover Dam.

After the tour, Turtle notices a man who is walking inside of the fence just as he disappears down a hole seemingly into the belly of the huge dam. It takes quite a long time to get anyone to believe what she saw; but eventually a rescue team goes in and finds the man still alive.

The story radiates out from their good deed, which is reported on the news. An appearance on Oprah's show draws even more attention to Turtle. Attention of the Cherokee Nation, who are prepared to take back "one of their own". Native American children adopted out of the Nation usually have no Cherokee identity, or knowledge of their tribe.

Taylor has adopted Turtle and can hardly believe that they would remove Turtle But, in fear of losing her, they go on the run.

Thoroughly entertaining and beautifully written as Kingsolver fans have come to expect. I highly recommend this book.
reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 6 more book reviews
A great story about a six year old girl, Turtle Greer and how witnessing an accident leads to celebrity which leads to a major family conflict.
Bayberry avatar reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 12 more book reviews
Loved it and I wish it would continue.
reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 13 more book reviews
Barbara Kingsolver is one of the best storytellers around. She crafts sentences and observations on life that have stuck in my head for over ten years since I first read this book. This story is interesting, unpredictable with quirky characters she brings you to love.
reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 377 more book reviews
Another one of those chick novels, confusing story, too many characters, keep losing track of who is who. Put it down after a couple of chapters.
reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 40 more book reviews
I read this book years ago--It is a lovely book with wonderful characters.

I recommend it 100 percent. Just as great on the second reading.
reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 1453 more book reviews
Taylor Greer never thought she could be a mother until someone gives her an Indian child. She cares and loves little Turtle with all her heart, so much so that Turtle comes before anything else in her life. Turtle sees a man go into the water at Hoover Dam. When he is rescued, the child and her mother get nationwide news coverage and unwanted attention from a crusading tribal lawyer which puts them on the run to keep them together. Their adventures and the dilemma that faces Taylor - to keep her child or give her back to the tribe keeps the tale moving well. The story is delightful but I felt the ending was a bit hokey and unbelievable. Still this was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to those interested in interracial adoptions.
bookgoddessme avatar reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 106 more book reviews
What a great follow up to Bean Trees! Smooth transition into a crazy, wild, and sometimes heart breaking adventure with Taylor and Turtle. A constellation of beautifully written characters that all breathed rich life. Barbara's fiction stories are magical.
reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 7 more book reviews
Barbara Kingsolver always comes through with a good story, this one is good, not her best.
reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 38 more book reviews
personal collection, loved it.
Mixitup avatar reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 57 more book reviews
Started out a little slower than most Kingsolver books, but it pulled me in as usual. A very sweet book.
QMJudy avatar reviewed Pigs in Heaven on + 42 more book reviews
A good follow up on the Bean Trees. Wish there would be a third.


Genres: