Prodigal Summer

Set in the rugged, verdant landscape of southern Appalachia, this novel interweaves the lives of three women: a biologist studying elk, a farmer navigating the economics of a small dairy, and a hunter’s wife grappling with loss and tradition. Kingsolver’s prose is lush and sensory, blending detailed ecological observation with intimate domestic drama. The narrative explores the tension between human ambition and the natural world, highlighting how scientific knowledge, economic pressure, and personal desire collide in a region defined by its isolation and beauty.

Description adapted from Open Library ↗.