Janet Fitch’s beautifully written novel White Oleander is the story about the agonizing and obscure journey that is Astrid Magnussen’s life. Shaken and destroyed by her mother Ingrid’s imprisonment for the murder of her boyfriend, Astrid is uprooted from her home and shipped from foster home to foster home. The story focuses on Astrid and her quest to find out who she really is and the obstacles she faces along the way. While growing into who she is, she becomes a little bit like each female figure that has an effect on her.

During her life’s journey, Astrid experiments with both drugs and sex. Yes, this is a common act for some lost teens, but she digs herself more deeply in trouble than most. Her mistakes could have easily resulted in death, and in fact, they almost did prove to be, fatal. Though her story is not like most, she is still a very relatable and identifiable person for others who are trying to find themselves. You can’t help but to get sucked into her life’s journey and to root for her along the way.

The beginning and true reason for her journey all come back to one person, Ingrid Magnussen. “Beautiful, distinguished, thrives without care and can be lethal if not careful”, this is how Clemson University defines the (white) oleander. The same can be said about Ingrid.

Janet Fitch’s masterpiece became a movie three years after its release and is also part of Oprah Winfrey’s book club. Originally the protagonist in another short story, Fitch is inspired to change Ingrid’s inner character to eventually unravel. As a part of realistic fiction, White Oleander will stay forever in the readers’ hearts for its realistic and brilliant depiction of a young girl’s journey to self realization.

[This review has been edited to remove plot spoilers]