Dellarobia Turnbow needed a miracle.
When an unexpected pregnancy during high school led to a sudden marriage into a family she never felt comfortable with, Dellarobia did what she always did and began to make the best of it. Three children later and a life that led down the lonely path of a mother who stays home all day with her children, Dellarobia was ready to take change into her own hands.
The sight of the mountain covered in a burning orange took Dellarobia's breath away and touched a place in her spirit she thought long shut off and cold. She did not understand what she saw, a mountain aflame and, yet, not burning, but she knew it was a miracle. Returning home, Dellarobia made a different life-altering decision. She did not throw her life away on a brief, romantic fling, but she knew in her heart that she had changed and that, somehow, a transformation, a shift in life, was about to begin. She just did not know exactly how.
Soon after, Dellarobia found out that her gruff, authoritarian father-in-law intended to clear cut her miracle mountain. Though she felt she had no place in her husband's family and no voice to make requests or demands, Dellarobia managed to convince her husband that the family should look at what they were about to sell off. Then they all took a trip up the mountain. The sight was much clearer to Dellarobia who wore her glasses this time and everyone was astonished to find that the entire mountain was covered in monarch butterflies.
Dellarobia felt excitement, joy and a desire to learn everything she could about this phenomenon. Her husband felt that his wife had been blessed by a miracle, and her father-in-law felt they still needed to clear cut the mountain because they were drowning in debt. Here a story and discussion begins that will encompass first an entire community and then the nation, as everyone begins to focus on Dellarobia's backyard. The argument over what should be done reveals a deep, painful conversation that is often overlooked. Sometimes the needs of the environment can hurt the needs and welfare of people. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to afford living in a way that protects the Earth.
Kingsolver brings together the many aspects that must go into a conversation regarding the welfare of the planet. Her sympathetic and realistic characters give every side of the argument a voice. Kingsolver explores one of the most pressing problems of the modern age without placing blame or lecturing. This tale melds miracles and science in a beautiful, compassionate way.
Mariah Luebbering is the children's and reference clerk at Missouri River Regional Library.