Read Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit Online: A Novel of Religion, Sexuality, and Identity
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit Book Pdf: A Review
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a novel by Jeanette Winterson, published in 1985. It is a semi-autobiographical story of a young girl who grows up in a strict Pentecostal family in England and discovers her lesbian identity. The book is a blend of realism and fantasy, humor and tragedy, and explores themes such as religion, sexuality, gender, and identity.
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit Book Pdf
If you are looking for a book that will challenge your assumptions, make you laugh, cry, and think, then Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a perfect choice. In this article, we will give you a comprehensive review of the book, including a summary, an analysis, an evaluation, and a conclusion. We will also provide you with a guide on how to download the book pdf for free, how to read it on different devices, and how to use it for educational purposes. Finally, we will compare the book to other works by Jeanette Winterson, other LGBTQ+ literature, and other coming-of-age stories. We will also discuss some of the questions, lessons, and challenges that the book raises for us.
Summary
The novel is divided into eight chapters, each named after a book of the Bible. The protagonist and narrator is Jeanette, who is adopted by a devout Pentecostal couple in Lancashire. Her mother is obsessed with converting people to her faith and believes that Jeanette is destined to be a missionary. Her father is more passive and distant. Jeanette grows up in a strict and isolated environment, where she is taught that everything outside her church is sinful and evil.
Jeanette finds comfort and joy in reading books, especially fairy tales and myths. She also develops a vivid imagination and a sense of humor. She begins to question some of the teachings of her church, especially when they contradict her own experiences and feelings. She has her first sexual encounter with another girl when she is seven years old, but she does not understand what it means. She also has visions of demons and angels, which she interprets as signs from God.
When Jeanette is sixteen years old, she falls in love with Melanie, a girl from her church choir. They start a secret relationship, but they are soon discovered by their pastor and their families. Jeanette's mother reacts with horror and fury, and tries to exorcise her daughter from the "devil's influence". Jeanette refuses to repent or renounce her love for Melanie. She is subjected to various forms of abuse and humiliation by her church and her community. She eventually runs away from home and finds refuge with another lesbian couple.
Jeanette tries to reconcile her faith and her sexuality, but she faces rejection and hostility from both sides. She meets other women who have different views and experiences of being lesbian, such as Katy, who is a feminist activist, and Elsie, who is an elderly eccentric. She also learns more about her biological parents and her adoption. She realizes that she has to create her own identity and find her own happiness, without conforming to the expectations of others.
The novel ends with Jeanette returning to her hometown for her mother's funeral. She has a brief encounter with Melanie, who is now married to a man and has children. Jeanette reflects on her life and her relationship with her mother, and decides to move on with a sense of hope and freedom.
Analysis
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a novel that combines various genres and styles, such as realism, fantasy, comedy, tragedy, memoir, and allegory. It is also a metafictional work, which means that it draws attention to its own nature as a fiction and its relationship with reality. For example, the novel includes intertextual references to other literary works, such as the Bible, Shakespeare, Blake, and T.S. Eliot. It also includes stories within stories, such as the fairy tales and myths that Jeanette narrates throughout the book. These stories serve as parallels or contrasts to Jeanette's own story, and also as ways of expressing her emotions and thoughts.
The novel also explores various themes, such as religion, sexuality, gender, and identity. One of the main themes is the conflict between individuality and conformity, or between freedom and oppression. Jeanette struggles to assert her own identity and desires in a society that tries to impose its norms and values on her. She challenges the authority and dogmatism of her church, which claims to have the absolute truth and the right to judge others. She also resists the stereotypes and prejudices of the mainstream culture, which marginalizes and discriminates against LGBTQ+ people.
Another theme is the role of storytelling and imagination in shaping one's reality and identity. Jeanette uses stories as a way of coping with her difficulties and finding meaning in her life. She also uses stories as a way of expressing her creativity and individuality. She realizes that there is not one single story or truth, but multiple stories and perspectives that can coexist and enrich each other. She learns to write her own story, without following the scripts or expectations of others.
Evaluation
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a novel that has received much acclaim and recognition since its publication. It won the Whitbread Award for First Novel in 1985, and was adapted into a BBC television series in 1990. It is widely regarded as a classic of LGBTQ+ literature, and as one of the most influential works by Jeanette Winterson.
The novel has many strengths, such as its originality, its humor, its emotion, its insight, and its style. It is a novel that challenges the reader to think critically and creatively about various issues and questions. It is also a novel that entertains and engages the reader with its witty dialogue, its colorful characters, its imaginative stories, and its poetic language.
The novel also has some weaknesses, such as its complexity, its ambiguity, its fragmentation, and its subjectivity. It is a novel that can be difficult to follow or understand for some readers who are not familiar with its references or conventions. It is also a novel that can be frustrating or unsatisfying for some readers who prefer more clarity or closure in their stories. It is also a novel that can be biased or controversial for some readers who disagree with its views or values.
Conclusion
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a novel that offers a rich and rewarding reading experience for those who are willing to embrace its challenges and possibilities. It is a novel that tells a powerful and moving story of a young girl who grows up in a repressive and hostile environment, but who manages to find her own voice and path in life. It is also a novel that celebrates the diversity and beauty of human beings, who are not defined by one single trait or category, but by their multiple facets and dimensions.
If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, think, and feel, then Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a book that you should definitely read.
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit Book Pdf: A Guide
If you are interested in reading Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit book pdf for free, then you are in luck. There are several ways to download or access the book pdf online without paying any money. Here are some of them:
How to download the book pdf for free
One of the easiest ways to download the book pdf for free is to use a website that offers free ebooks, such as Project Gutenberg, Open Library, or ManyBooks. These websites have a large collection of books that are in the public domain or have been donated by authors or publishers. You can search for the title of the book or the name of the author, and then download the book pdf to your device. You can also read the book online on your browser.
Another way to download the book pdf for free is to use a torrent site, such as The Pirate Bay, 1337x, or RARBG. These sites allow users to share files through peer-to-peer networks. You can search for the book pdf using keywords or filters, and then download it using a torrent client, such as BitTorrent, uTorrent, or qBittorrent. However, you should be careful when using torrent sites, as they may contain viruses, malware, or illegal content. You should also use a VPN (virtual private network) to protect your privacy and security.
A third way to download the book pdf for free is to use a file-sharing site, such as Zippyshare, Mediafire, or 4shared. These sites allow users to upload and download files without registration or payment. You can search for the book pdf using keywords or links, and then download it directly to your device. However, you should also be cautious when using file-sharing sites, as they may have pop-up ads, broken links, or low-quality files. You should also check the file size and format before downloading.
How to read the book pdf on different devices
Once you have downloaded the book pdf for free, you can read it on different devices, such as your computer, your smartphone, your tablet, or your e-reader. Here are some tips on how to read the book pdf on different devices:
- If you want to read the book pdf on your computer, you can use a PDF reader software, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader, or Sumatra PDF. These software allow you to open and view PDF files on your desktop or laptop. You can also adjust the zoom level, the page layout, the brightness, and other settings to enhance your reading experience.
- If you want to read the book pdf on your smartphone or tablet, you can use a PDF reader app, such as Google PDF Viewer, Adobe Acrobat Reader, or Xodo PDF Reader & Editor. These apps allow you to open and view PDF files on your mobile device. You can also bookmark pages, highlight text, add notes, and other features to improve your reading experience.
- If you want to read the book pdf on your e-reader, such as Kindle, Nook, or Kobo, you may need to convert the PDF file to a compatible format, such as EPUB or MOBI. You can use an online converter tool, such as Zamzar, Online-Convert.com, or To ePub. These tools allow you to upload and convert PDF files to other formats for free. You can then transfer the converted file to your e-reader using a USB cable or a wireless connection.
How to use the book pdf for educational purposes
If you want to use the book pdf for educational purposes, such as studying literature or writing essays, you can benefit from some of these tips:
- If you want to analyze the book pdf in terms of its themes, symbols, style, and context, you can use a literary analysis guide, such as SparkNotes, CliffsNotes, or LitCharts. These guides provide summaries, explanations, examples, and quizzes on various aspects of the book. You can also find essays and reviews on the book by other critics and scholars.
- If you want to write an essay or a paper on the book pdf, you can use a citation generator, such as EasyBib, Citation Machine, or BibMe. These generators help you create citations and references for the book in different styles, such as MLA, APA, or Chicago. You can also use a plagiarism checker, such as Grammarly, Turnitin, or Quetext. These checkers help you detect and avoid plagiarism in your writing.
- If you want to discuss or share your thoughts on the book pdf with others, you can use a social media platform, such as Goodreads, Reddit, or Twitter. These platforms allow you to join groups, forums, or hashtags related to the book. You can also post comments, questions, ratings, or recommendations on the book.
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit Book Pdf: A Comparison
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a novel that can be compared to other works by Jeanette Winterson, other LGBTQ+ literature, and other coming-of-age stories. Here are some of the similarities and differences between the book and these other works:
How does the book compare to other works by Jeanette Winterson?
Jeanette Winterson is a British writer who has written several novels, short stories, essays, and memoirs. She is known for her experimental and innovative style, her exploration of gender and sexuality, her use of fantasy and myth, and her autobiographical elements. Some of her most famous works include The Passion (1987), Sexing the Cherry (1989), Written on the Body (1992), The PowerBook (2000), and Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? (2011).
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is Winterson's first novel and her most autobiographical one. It is based on her own childhood and adolescence in a religious family and her discovery of her lesbian identity. It also introduces some of the themes and techniques that she would develop in her later works, such as the blending of realism and fantasy, the intertextuality and metafictionality, the humor and irony, and the quest for selfhood and love.
which are more fragmented and nonlinear. It is also more realistic and less fantastical than her later works, which are more imaginative and surreal. It is also more personal and less universal than her later works, which are more abstract and philosophical.
How does the book compare to other LGBTQ+ literature?
LGBTQ+ literature is a broad term that refers to literature that features LGBTQ+ characters, themes, or perspectives. It includes various genres and styles, such as poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels. It also includes various historical and cultural contexts, such as ancient Greece, medieval Europe, modern America, and contemporary Asia. Some of the most famous LGBTQ+ writers include Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, Allen Ginsberg, Armistead Maupin, Alison Bechdel, and David Levithan.
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a novel that belongs to LGBTQ+ literature, as it depicts the life and experiences of a lesbian protagonist in a homophobic society. It also explores issues such as identity, sexuality, gender, religion, and family from an LGBTQ+ perspective. It also contributes to LGBTQ+ literature by providing a positive and empowering representation of lesbianism, as opposed to the negative and tragic stereotypes that often dominate mainstream media.
but also incorporates other elements, such as fantasy, myth, comedy, and metafiction. It also does not represent a single or homogeneous LGBTQ+ voice or experience, but rather a diverse and complex one.
How does the book compare to other coming-of-age stories?
Coming-of-age stories are stories that depict the growth and development of a young protagonist from childhood to adulthood. They usually involve themes such as identity, maturity, independence, love, friendship, family, and society. They also usually involve challenges, conflicts, and changes that the protagonist has to face and overcome. Some of the most famous coming-of-age stories include The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a novel that can be considered a coming-of-age story, as it follows the journey of Jeanette from her childhood to her adulthood. It also deals with themes such as identity, maturity, independence, love, friendship, family, and society. It also shows the challenges, conflicts, and changes that Jeanette has to face and overcome in her life.
- How do we define our identity and sexuality? Are they fixed or fluid? Are they determined by nature or nurture? Are they influenced by our family, our culture, our religion, or our personal choice? - How do we reconcile our faith and our sexuality? Can we be both religious and LGBTQ+? How do we deal with the contradictions and conflicts between our beliefs and our feelings? How do we cope with the rejection and persecution from our church and our community? - How do we create our own happiness and freedom? How do we overcome the obstacles and challenges that we face in our life? How do we find our own voice and path in a world that tries to silence and limit us? How do we balance our individuality and our conformity? - How do we use stories and imagination to shape our reality and identity? How do we relate to other literary works and genres? How do we express our creativity and originality? How do we write our own story? What are some of the lessons that the book teaches us?
Some of the lessons that the book teaches us are - We should be proud of who we are and love who we love. We should not let others define us or judge us. We should not be ashamed of our identity or sexuality. We should celebrate our diversity and beauty. - We should be open-minded and tolerant of others. We should not impose our views or values on others. We should respect and appreciate the differences and similarities among human beings. We should learn from and enrich each other. - We should be brave and resilient in facing our difficulties and adversities. We should not give up or lose hope. We should fight for our rights and dignity. We should support and help each other. - We should be curious and creative in exploring our world and ourselves. We should not accept or follow the status quo. We should question and challenge everything. We should discover and invent new things. What are some of the challenges that the book poses for us?
Some of the challenges that the book poses for us are - We should be aware of the prejudices and discrimination that still exist in our society against LGBTQ+ people. We should not ignore or deny them. We should confront and change them. We should stand up for ourselves and others. - We should be critical of the authority and dogmatism of some religious institutions and leaders. We should not blindly obey or trust them. We should examine and evaluate them. We should seek our own truth and faith. - We should be flexible and adaptable in dealing with the changes and uncertainties in our life. We should not cling to or resist them. We should embrace and welcome them. We should grow and evolve with them. - We should be honest and authentic in expressing ourselves and our feelings. We should not hide or lie about them. We should share and communicate them. We should listen and understand them.
Conclusion
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a novel that has a lot to offer to its readers. It is a novel that tells a compelling and inspiring story of a young lesbian girl who grows up in a religious family in England. It is also a novel that explores various themes, such as religion, sexuality, gender, identity, storytelling, imagination, freedom, happiness, love, friendship, family, society, etc. It is also a novel that compares to other works by Jeanette Winterson, other LGBTQ+ literature, other coming-of-age stories.
and debate among its readers. It raises many questions, teaches many lessons, and poses many challenges for us. It is a novel that makes us laugh, cry, think, and feel. It is a novel that we should definitely read.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit book pdf:
Q: Is Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit a true story?
A: Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a semi-autobiographical novel, which means that it is based on some of the author's own experiences and memories, but it is not a factual or accurate account of her life. The author has said that she used fiction as a way of transforming and transcending her reality, and that she did not intend to write a memoir or a biography. She has also said that she changed some of the names, dates, places, and events in the novel to