White Oleander by Janet Fitch?

I just read White Oleander (yes, like the movie) and it was amazing. I can't even put it into words. There are just a few things I didn't quite understand....





What exactly is "oleander time"? Astrid mentions that like five times throughout the book, and I never got what it means. Is it referring to the time of the year when her mother poisoned Barry? Or the time when it's in season or something?





Also, I wondered about the choices she made. Why did she choose to go to that last foster home, the one with Yvonne and Rena and Niki? Why did she choose to live her life like that? And at the end with Paul Trout (who I adore). Why didn't she take the money that her mother could give her and live back in the states? She could have taken Paul with her, and they'd be living more comfortably.





Thanks in advance for the help anyone can give me.

White Oleander by Janet Fitch?
I too loved this book. Oleander time is both the season in which Oleander thrives and a symbol as the time when Astrid's life was changed forever. (When Ingrid kills Barry). Also, I think she chose to go to the home with Rena because she doesn't think she deserves happiness, she wants to sabotage hereself. Also, she is so devestated by the death of Claire she doesn't want to become part of the "nuclear family" (a perfect family) because she thinks she will forget about Claire and the pain she went through too easily.





Lastly, she doesn't take the money, and she doesn't move back into the states because she knows that too much has happened and she would never fit into the daughter mold her mother wants from her. She also realizes that if she returns to California, she must abandon Paul, leaving him much like she has been abandoned so many times before. She embraces the life she has lived, the past that has made her who she is and accepts her mother's love, but continues to live the life she leads.





Hope this gave you the answers you needed, this was such a great novel, by the way Janet Firch wrote another novel (although, i didn't like it NEAR as much) It's called Paint It Black, maybe you should try it.
Reply:I read this book a really long time ago, so i don't remember much of the details. However, I think she didn't take her mother's money because she wanted her to know that she didn't need her anymore. Thats the only question i can answer
Reply:I wish i could help you, i read that book years ago and dont remember much but i know i really enjoyed that book. I wonder if i still have that book.

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