Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Where the Heart Is

Where the Heart Is
Where the Heart Is
Author: Billie Letts
Talk about unlucky sevens ... An hour ago, seventeen-year-old, seven months pregnant Novalee Nation was heading to California with her boyfriend. Now she finds herself stranded at a Wal-Mart in Sequoyah, Oklahoma with just $7.77 in change. But Novalee is about to discover hidden treasures in this small Southwest town - a group of down-to-earth, ...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780446603652
ISBN-10: 0446603651
Publication Date: 7/1/1996
Pages: 352
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 153

4.1 stars, based on 153 ratings
Publisher: Warner Books
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Bibliocrates avatar reviewed Where the Heart Is on + 252 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 18
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. It was a very sweet love story about a pregnant young girl who is abandoned by her boyfriend at a Wal-Mart, where she meets many people who change her life, touching, heartwarming. It was interesting reading this book after having already seen the movie because I had all of the actors' faces in my head and didn't have to imagine what the characters looked like. Some of the actors in the movie didn't quite fit their character's descriptions in the book, and the movie's ending was changed slightly, but that is to be expected with any movie adaptation and it didn't bother me at all. I am glad I read this book. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a nice feel good book!
reviewed Where the Heart Is on + 313 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 16
If you've only watched the movie, you've got to read the book - too good to miss!

A funny thing happens to Novalee Nation on her way to Bakersfield, California. Her ne'er-do-well boyfriend, Willie Jack Pickens, abandons her in an Oklahoma Wal-Mart and takes off on his own, leaving her with just 10 dollars and the clothes on her back. Not that hard luck is anything new to Novalee, who is "seventeen, seven months pregnant, thirty-seven pounds overweight--and superstitious about sevens.... For most people, sevens were lucky. But not for her," Billie Letts writes. "She'd had a bad history with them, starting with her seventh birthday, the day Momma Nell ran away with a baseball umpire named Fred..."

Still, finding herself alone and penniless in Sequoyah, Oklahoma is enough to make even someone as inured to ill fortune as Novalee want to give up and die. Fortunately, the Wal-Mart parking lot is the Sequoyah equivalent of a town square, and within hours Novalee has met three people who will change her life: Sister Thelma Husband, a kindly eccentric; Benny Goodluck, a young Native American boy; and Moses Whitecotton, an elderly African American photographer. For the next two months, Novalee surreptitiously makes her home in the Wal-Mart, sleeping there at night, exploring the town by day. When she goes into labor and delivers her baby there, however, Novalee learns that sometimes it's not so bad to depend on the kindness of strangers--especially if one of them happens to be Sam Walton, the superchain's founder.

Where the Heart Is oddly mixes heart-warming vignettes and surprising, brutal violence. Novalee's story is juxtaposed with occasional chapters chronicling Willy Jack's downward spiral into prison, disappointment, and degradation. And even in Sequoyah, sudden storms, domestic violence, kidnapping, and deadly fires punctuate Novalee's progress from homeless, unwed teen mom to successful, happy member of the community. This is not a subtle book; there's never any doubt that our heroine will make a home for herself and her baby or that Willy Jack will get what he deserves for abandoning them. Still, Billie Letts has created several memorable characters, and there's always room for another novel that celebrates the life-affirming qualities of reading, the importance of education, and the power of love to change lives.
reviewed Where the Heart Is on
Helpful Score: 14
One of the few Oprah Book Club books that I have actually enjoyed.
heartwarming, clever and captivating. The lives of a small town in nowhereland Oklahoma jump alive in this wonderful book. Characters you wont forget, heartbreaking stories and stories of triumph. Despite hard times Novalee Nation is a standout and never lets the crap in life get her down.
TheSampleLady avatar reviewed Where the Heart Is on
Helpful Score: 11
Having seen the movie some time ago, I never thought I would pick up this book. I am so glad I changed my mind. Ms. Letts' character development is fantastic. So many more details than the movie! I found this to be an endearing novel about human strengths, flaws, and passion. An excellent read.
reviewed Where the Heart Is on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
Wonderful! This is a stunning book about a young girl making her way in the world, from dismal beginnings, to true riches: friends, family, and a purpose in life. The writing is fresh and lovely, the characters quirky and utterly unforgettable. You'll be glad you read this one.
Read All 284 Book Reviews of "Where the Heart Is"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

reviewed Where the Heart Is on
THIS WAS A SUPRISINGLY VERY GOOD BOOK!!
DanielleFM avatar reviewed Where the Heart Is on + 177 more book reviews
AMAZING story! a must read before you see the movie!
reviewed Where the Heart Is on
Love, Love, Love this book! Billie Letts style of writing makes you feel that you are right there in the book. I just wanted to really be there to hug, cry and laugh with them all!!!
sh0rtstak avatar reviewed Where the Heart Is on + 89 more book reviews
I haven't seen the movie and after reading the book i'm glad. I truly enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure this would be a book I could get into but boy was I wrong. Hooray to the author and main character for a book that truly reminded me where the heart is.
pindari avatar reviewed Where the Heart Is on + 38 more book reviews
Many difficult times for the main character, starting with being pregnant and abandoned at Wal-mart, but also many wonderful characters to reinforce your faith in human goodness.
popstarh8ter avatar reviewed Where the Heart Is on
The movie "Where the Heart Is" which is based off of this book has been a favorite of mine for years, so I was eager to get this and read it.

The book is truly a gem in its own league. Quirky characters set in normal country towns will remind you of the "funny guy down the street" and your "crazy Aunt" you see at family reunions. The familiarity of everyday life is what makes this book endearing. The movie sticks incredibly close to the story line of the book, but the famous one liners are even more frequent in the paperback version.

A must read ... 5 stars.
reviewed Where the Heart Is on + 28 more book reviews
I have to admit, I bought this book because it was partially about Wal-Mart and i love wal-mart. In the end it was a very good story even if it hadn't had the Wal-mart stuff. This is one of the only "Oprah" books that i have actually liked and would recommend.
onlyonenita avatar reviewed Where the Heart Is on + 14 more book reviews
I could not put this book down. A page turner!
reviewed Where the Heart Is on + 2 more book reviews
I loved the movie & wasn't disappointed in the book. It is a love story, with happy and sad times and true-to-life lessons - hard to put down once I started to read it.
mickienut avatar reviewed Where the Heart Is on
Great read from cover to cover, books are always better then the movies.
reviewed Where the Heart Is on
ISBN: 0446672211


Genres: