Title: Where the Heart is
Author: Billie Letts
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Oprah’s Book Club edition (June 1, 1998
Genre: Adult Fiction
Source: My bookshelf
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
My thoughts:
I bought this book in a second hand bookstore. There is already a movie made on this so I’m sure I would never have picked it up for normal price. I would have preferred watching the movie instead.
Anyway, I’m so glad I picked it up because I ended up loving it. I read this before the wedding so my memory is not that sharp but I do remember all the lovely characters from the book, most of all Novalee, so I guess that’s a big plus.
The book begins with Novalee Nation and her boyfriend traveling on road to get to some place where the boyfriend could get some job. Novalee is a teenager and is pregnant. Somewhere mid-journey when they stop at Walmart, the boyfriend chickens out and leaves Novalle at Walmart and drives off.
So here she is, 17 and pregnant, with no one to turn to for help. So she hides in Walmart and manages to stay there until the baby is born. But along the way she meets some people, strangers, who take her in and shower her with love and give her a place she could call home.
At times I think everything turned out to be too easy for Novalle, like everything just fell into place. I’m not sure that really happens in real life. What is the future of a 17 year old pregnant girl with no job, who knows no body in the town and has absolutely nothing going for her? It’s a miracle alright, something we have stopped believing in long ago. May be it’s time we stop being so cynical and believe there are people who are as unselfish as the ones Novalle met in that small town.
So in spite of what I now call a minor problem in the book, I absolutely loved and enjoyed reading Where the Heart is. It’s a heart warming story with endearing characters. You will find yourself rooting for Novalee and falling in love with her adorable little girl.
It’s a book that’s perfect for Christmas. Besides, isn’t that a perfect title?
VIOLET CRUSH 
Wow! You’re reviewing books already! Amazing!
Wish it were that easy in real life too. But then, I wouldn’t want a 17 year old to get pregnant in the first place.
(Walmart has just one ‘L’ in it)
Me neither.
Thanks for the spelling, I knew there was something wrong in it 🙂
I read this book last year and loved it. I didn’t exactly recall the entire story when I saw this post title but I did remember that had given me a heart warming feeling . No doubt this was a Oprah Book Club pick.
I read this book years ago after I saw and enjoyed the movie. There’s just something so feel-good about the story that I love it despite the flaws. I’m glad you enjoyed it overall, too.
–Anna
I read this when it first came out and I loved it too!
I like the movie but never read the book. I should add this to my list!
Thanks for your great review, Violet. I haven’t read this particular book but I have seen the movie and enjoyed it. 🙂
The movie was pretty good– Natalie Portman does a great job as Novalee.
Sounds like a book full of warm fuzzies. 🙂
I agree with you the book is great. I loved her other books as well. The Honk and HOller Opening Soon, Shoot the Moon and Made in the U.S.A. I’ve read them all and waiting patiently for the next one.