"Where the Heart Is" by Bille Letts. A Book Review.

It was almost a year ago when I watched the movie "Where the Heart Is". I was at someone's house with a bunch of other girl friends and we all decided on that movie. I really enjoyed the movie. It was cute and heart-warming. Somewhere in the middle of the movie a friend informed me that there was a book. Me being the book-worm I am set out to buy it. Eventually I did. Today just before Philosophy class, with minutes to spare, I finished this beautiful story.

Novalee is a 17 year old girl, seven months pregnant, on on the road to California with the baby's father, Willy Jack. Novalee has an extreme fear of the number 7 because for her it's nothing but bad luck. Willy Jack leaves leaves her stranded somewhere in Oklahoma at a Wal-Mart where she lives until her baby is born. The novel follows her life as she meets interesting people, old Sister Husband, the Indian Benny Goodluck, the black photograghper Moses Whitecotton, a hispital aide Lexie, and the wacky librarian Forney Hull; these characters along with a handful of others teach Novalee the most important lesson there is to learn yet.

I would be lying to you if I said this was not a love story. Because in a way, it is. It is a story about a girl who is down on her luck and the people in the life she makes in Oklahoma continue to love on her, and her baby, something she was not completely used to. So yes, it is a love story in that way, and in another way.

Novalee Nation is an interesting girl. If I were to describe her I would say she is very sweet and hard-working, and just a simple girl trying to make a good life for her and her baby. She wants nothing more than a "home without wheels".

I suppose in my own way I can relate to this girl, this "Novalee Nation". No, my boyfriend did not leave me 7 months pregnant at a Wal-mart in the middle of no where. I can relate to this protagonist just by her virtues. Novalee didn't have much growing up, but after her baby was born she worked hard to keep a good life, doing everything for her baby.

I can relate to her in that way because in her honest hard-work I see myself, trying to do the best I can for family with the encouragement of electic friends along the way who love on me more than I can really love myself sometimes.

It's a beautiful story and I highly recommend it. =]