Animal Dreams (1990) by Barbara Kingsolver tells the story of Cosima "Codi" Noline, a woman who returns to her hometown of Grace, Arizona, to care for her ailing father, Homer, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. The novel alternates between Codi’s perspective and Homer’s, delving into themes of family, love, forgiveness, and environmental activism. While in Grace, Codi reconnects with old friends, including Lloyd Peregrina, an Apache man with whom she starts a relationship. The town is grappling with environmental damage caused by a nearby mine, and Codi becomes involved in efforts to protect their water supply. As she confronts her own painful past, including a miscarriage and her strained relationship with her father, Codi also learns the surprising truth about her family’s history in Grace. Ultimately, she reconciles with her father, mourns the loss of her sister Hallie, and begins a new chapter in her life, embracing both personal healing and community activism. The novel is a poignant exploration of the connections between personal and collective identity, set against the backdrop of ecological and social struggles.
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