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Description edit
White Oleander is a 1999 novel by American author Janet Fitch. It is a coming of age story about a child who is separated from her mother and placed in a series of foster homes. The book was a selection by Oprah's Book Club in May 1999 and became a 2002 film
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
Astrid is the only child of a single mother, Ingrid, a brilliant, obsessed poet who wields her luminous beauty to intimidate and manipulate men. Astrid worships her mother and cherishes their private world full of ritual and mystery — but their idyll is shattered when Astrid's mother falls... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Characters/People edit
- Astrid Magnussen: The protagonist of the story, she is the daugter of the brilliant poet Ingrid Magnussen. She is an artist, and often describes the things around her in terms of paintings or drawings throughout the story.
- Ingrid Magnussen: Astrid's mother, a brilliant poet and writer. Horrifyingly, disgustingly gorgeous.
- Claire Richards: Arguably the foster mother that Astrid connects with the most. She is an actress in small films, television shows, and commercials. She is highly superstitious and believes in things such as numerology and the evil eye.
- Rena Grushenka: Astrid's Russian last foster mother who lives with pregnant Yvonne. Girlfriend of Sergei. She owns a small shop.
- Starr: Astrid's first foster mother. She is a reformed drug addict, alcoholic, and exotic dancer; and has recently developed a fondness for church and the lord.
- Ron Richards: A writer for a popular sci-fi tv show.
- Yvonne: Russian pregnant roommate of Astrid's when she lives with Rena.
- Olivia Johnstone: The neighbor of Astrid's second foster mother, Marvel. An elegant African American woman who teaches Astrid about the power of sex and more about feminism. Because her second foster mother was a racist, she was very much against them "hanging-out"
- Barry Kolker: A fat-cat cocky type of man. Not the most attractive and is very cocky and playboy. Ingrid Magnussen's boyfriend
- Davey: Starr's only biological son. Friends with Astrid and has an aptitude for science.
- Uncle Ray: The boyfriend of Astrid's first foster mother, Starr.
- Paul Trout: A boy Astrid meets in the Mac.
- Carolee: The biological daughter of Astrid's first foster mother, Starr. Rebellious and hates her mother.
- Sergei: Boyfriend of Rena. A Russian man who also becomes the lover of Astrid.
- Ingrid: A dark, seductive character that harms all who are not beautiful in her eyes. She is a delicious antagonist who you can't help but love.
- Joan Peeler: One of the previous social workers of Astrid
- Marvel Turlock: Astrid's racist second foster mother. Marvel is a Mary Kay beauty saleswoman who often uses Astrid as a babysitter.
- Niki Colette: She is a fellow foster kid who lives with Rena.
- Susan D. Valeris: Ingrid's lawyer
- Amelia Ramos: Astrid's third foster mother. Treats her foster girls as slaves and only feeds them at dinner, starving them.
- Owen: Foster child of Starr and Ray
- Astrid: Main Character, finding her self lost in the government system, and used by others that were supposed to care for her. She's very independent, and seems to find trouble wherever she turns.
- Caitlin: Marvel's biological toddler daughter.
- Annie: Woman who took in children and raised Astrid for a year
- Debby: Add a description of this character.
- Justin
- Marlene: One of Astrid's foster mothers
- Misha: Friend of Rena
- Eduardo: The man that owned a hotel in Mexico that Ingrid had a casual relationship with...the relationship that Astrid aspires to have with a man.
- Mrs. Kromach
- Reverend Thomas
- Klaus Anders: Astrid's father who she hadn't seen since she was two years old. From Europe
- Ms. Cardoza
- Linda
- Peter
- Wendy
- Uncle Ernie: Wicked Uncle, indeed.
- Ann Greenway
- Lina
- Camille Barron
- Silvana
- Ed Turlock
- Kiki Torrez
- Fred Segal
- Catherine Deneuve
- Bill Greenway
- Mrs. Luanne Davis
- Mr. Natural
- Nidia Diaz
- Natalia
- Hannah
- Ramirez
- Benito
- Oskar Schein
- Werner
- Melinda Meek
- Lydia Guzman
- Derrick
- Michael Pietsch
- missy
- Ray baby
Setting & Locations edit
First Sentence edit
THE SANTA ANAS blew in hot from the desert, shriveling the last of the spring grass into whiskers of pale straw.
Series & Lists edit
This is book 26 of 70 in Oprah's Book Club. (authoritative list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Janet Fitch (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1999
ISBN: 0-316-28526-9
Page Count: 480
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1999
ISBN: 0-316-28526-9
Page Count: 480
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 813.54
Subjects edit
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Movie Connections edit
- White Oleander (IMDb): 2002.
More Books Like This edit
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