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Little Green
In 1976, Janie Marek, an orphan in the care of her stepmother, runs away. She hitchhikes as far as the freeway outside a small Northwestern town. The closest thing within walking distance is a strip club, and Janie finds herself working there, where she falls for Paul Jesse, a drug dealer, and moves in with him as he spirals into addiction and physical abuse. As the violence escalates, Janie finds a job in a bookstore and begins to establish her independence. Leaving Paul after a brutal beating, Janie must reconcile their relationship and make the most difficult, most dangerous choice she’ll ever make.
Like Dorothy Allison’s Bastard Out of Carolina and Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, Little Green examines the psychology of a woman who has experienced violence at the hands of someone she loves and the complexity of leaving with sensitivity and insight. This is a life-affirming story about a woman who finds strength in books, in the promise of education, and in the community of friends who help her find a way out.
Like Dorothy Allison’s Bastard Out of Carolina and Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, Little Green examines the psychology of a woman who has experienced violence at the hands of someone she loves and the complexity of leaving with sensitivity and insight. This is a life-affirming story about a woman who finds strength in books, in the promise of education, and in the community of friends who help her find a way out.
- GenresFiction
300 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2010
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71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 31, 2010
A woman once told me that every couple fights. She wasn't talking about a verbal argument. She meant the kind of fighting that involved hitting, pushing and hair pulling. Her mother had been a victim of domestic violence as was she. She did not know anything different. She loved her husband, and, while leaving him crossed her mind, she was too afraid of him and worried that she wouldn't be able to support her children without his help. Alcohol and drugs played a part in her husband's violent episodes and they helped numb her to get her through.
Domestic violence is a prevalent problem in our society. It affects men and women of all ages and social classes. Author Loretta Stinson brings home one such example in her book, Little Green. Janie Marek ran away from home when she was 14 years old. Her mother and father had died early in her life, leaving her in the care of her father's second wife. Janie took to the streets hoping for a better life. What she found was hardship and strife. At sixteen, Janie has learned the rules of living on the streets, and yet she still maintains a sense of hope that life will get better. She takes a job as a topless dancer and settles in a small Washington town for a short while, at least long enough to earn a little money. It is there she meets Paul Jesse, a drug dealer ten years her senior. They feel a connection that they both fight against, but, after tragedy strikes, the two give in.
At first life seems good. Janie and Paul get along well. She dreams of a future with him. Paul, on the other hand, is less sure. He's an independent spirit and likes his easy life. But he also cannot deny the love he feels for Janie. So, when she asks him if she can move in with him, he agrees.
As the story progresses, Paul's drug use spirals out of control and his violent rages increase. Janie is sure her love and influence will change him. She puts up with his behavior because she loves him . . . and later because she is afraid of him.
Author Loretta Stinson's writing is matter of fact. I instantly liked Janie and cared about her, but I never really got that sense of walking in her shoes that I look for when reading a novel. I was always just an observer--kept at a distance. I am having a hard time putting my finger on exactly why I felt that way. Was it me? Was it the book? I'm not sure. Despite that, the author did an amazing job of capturing the attitudes, thoughts and motivations of her characters as well as the realities of how drug abuse impacts not only the abuser, but those around him too. My heart broke for Janie, and even for Paul, as he descended further into his drug addiction. Even with all Janie went through, as broken as she was, her resilience is a testament to the human spirit as are the friends who stood by her through to the end.
Janie and Paul may be fictional characters, but their story is one shared by very real people. The novel is set in the late 1970's, however, it could very well be set today. Little Green is an important novel that is well worth reading.
Domestic violence is a prevalent problem in our society. It affects men and women of all ages and social classes. Author Loretta Stinson brings home one such example in her book, Little Green. Janie Marek ran away from home when she was 14 years old. Her mother and father had died early in her life, leaving her in the care of her father's second wife. Janie took to the streets hoping for a better life. What she found was hardship and strife. At sixteen, Janie has learned the rules of living on the streets, and yet she still maintains a sense of hope that life will get better. She takes a job as a topless dancer and settles in a small Washington town for a short while, at least long enough to earn a little money. It is there she meets Paul Jesse, a drug dealer ten years her senior. They feel a connection that they both fight against, but, after tragedy strikes, the two give in.
At first life seems good. Janie and Paul get along well. She dreams of a future with him. Paul, on the other hand, is less sure. He's an independent spirit and likes his easy life. But he also cannot deny the love he feels for Janie. So, when she asks him if she can move in with him, he agrees.
As the story progresses, Paul's drug use spirals out of control and his violent rages increase. Janie is sure her love and influence will change him. She puts up with his behavior because she loves him . . . and later because she is afraid of him.
Author Loretta Stinson's writing is matter of fact. I instantly liked Janie and cared about her, but I never really got that sense of walking in her shoes that I look for when reading a novel. I was always just an observer--kept at a distance. I am having a hard time putting my finger on exactly why I felt that way. Was it me? Was it the book? I'm not sure. Despite that, the author did an amazing job of capturing the attitudes, thoughts and motivations of her characters as well as the realities of how drug abuse impacts not only the abuser, but those around him too. My heart broke for Janie, and even for Paul, as he descended further into his drug addiction. Even with all Janie went through, as broken as she was, her resilience is a testament to the human spirit as are the friends who stood by her through to the end.
Janie and Paul may be fictional characters, but their story is one shared by very real people. The novel is set in the late 1970's, however, it could very well be set today. Little Green is an important novel that is well worth reading.
November 11, 2010
The thing I liked the most about this book was the depiction of the thinking on both sides of the abusive relationship. I recall other books representing the abusee's thoughts, but I thought the author did a great job of representing the abuser's point of view too, and not making him out to be a monster from the start.
I also liked that it was set in the 70's, with lots of little references to 70's fashion, products, etc. - a blast from the past.
That said, I have trouble with characters that are excessive drug users, as in the shooting-up kind, and there were plenty of moments where the story was leaving a bad taste in my mouth. But I suppose that is part of the point.
I also liked that it was set in the 70's, with lots of little references to 70's fashion, products, etc. - a blast from the past.
That said, I have trouble with characters that are excessive drug users, as in the shooting-up kind, and there were plenty of moments where the story was leaving a bad taste in my mouth. But I suppose that is part of the point.
June 28, 2012
This was a lovely read. By lovely, I mean: the writing was simple but full. Sparse but charged. The novel is thin, but is packed with emotion. Janie is a wonderful main character. Strong, but like a little girl. You fall in love like she does. You hate when she does. You're hurt when she is. I won't soon forget her. All the terror of hardcore drug addiction and domestic violence is captured here. But all the tender pain of attempting to hold on to what you love is also present. I really liked this book.
November 2, 2011
While the author rushed through some of the plot points at the beginning of the novel, the rest of the story takes you on a true-to-life journey on what it is like to be in over your head in trouble.
May 29, 2010
Sometimes in life you find yourself in situations, good or bad, that you never imagined, situations that test you in a way you are completely unprepared for. And that's exactly what happens to Janie in Little Green. She's sixteen at the beginning of the book, but this is definitely not your usual coming-of-age story. Kidnapping, rape, drug and alcohol abuse, and beatings all affect Janie's life in one way or another, whether she experiences them herself or watches others go through them. So she's sometimes jaded and cynical and sometimes optimistic and extremely naive.
Stinson extends this complexity to other characters as well. They can be deeply flawed and full of contradictions, and that's what makes you wonder what is going to happen. It's amazing what a person can put up with when they've become used to it, but it's more interesting to see what happens when they won't put up with it anymore.
Stinson extends this complexity to other characters as well. They can be deeply flawed and full of contradictions, and that's what makes you wonder what is going to happen. It's amazing what a person can put up with when they've become used to it, but it's more interesting to see what happens when they won't put up with it anymore.
April 16, 2011
The beginning was a little too blunt (meaning it pretty much tells you the story line flat out) for me. But as it went on I liked it more and more. I loved how it let you get in every characters' head, you gain feelings for Janie from all their points of view. And I was satisfied with the ending. It's a page turner.
November 22, 2012
I am not sure quite why but I was totally sucked into this book. The critics have labelled it a love story. For me it was so much about Janie's lack of self-esteem and her being totally unempowered. The spiralling of Paul into drug addiction was devastating as was the impact on her. It was so sad as from the outside all the answers were obvious .....
November 28, 2020
This is a coming-of-age story of a young girl leaving home and what she has to do to survive. It includes a love story which goes sour and some fairly unpleasant scenes of domestic abuse and sexual abuse. Set in 1970’s west coast USA and the drug scene that was around, it is eventually a redemptive story.
December 23, 2022
My absolute favorite book.
I read this book every summer, and it never fails to put me in a peaceful, reading bliss.
Set in the 70's, this book really takes you away.
I recommending this book to every girl I know. So glad I found it!
I read this book every summer, and it never fails to put me in a peaceful, reading bliss.
Set in the 70's, this book really takes you away.
I recommending this book to every girl I know. So glad I found it!
May 13, 2025
It reflects the lives of many women who go through hardships like this. What I really liked is how she learns to recognize her own worth and eventually makes bold decisions. So many women lack that kind of courage and are afraid to face the world. They hold on to someone they once trusted — someone who broke every promise — still hoping that one day, life will change or that he will change. But what they don’t realize is that the only thing stopping them from moving forward is themselves. They stay stuck because of the love they had, without accepting that the relationship is toxic.
I truly loved Janie’s character — her softness, and the way she believed she needed someone else to be happy. But in the end, the message is clear: you don’t need anyone else to be happy. Happiness starts with you.
I truly loved Janie’s character — her softness, and the way she believed she needed someone else to be happy. But in the end, the message is clear: you don’t need anyone else to be happy. Happiness starts with you.
January 5, 2024
I couldn‘t stop reading. It is a coming of age story and as a reader I cared for Janie a lot.
She is relatable and likable. I wanted her to be happy.
The fact that the story is written from the perspective of the abuser and the victim is very interesting.
You can see that both of them live in a world of would-believe far removed from reality and facts.
Everyone who has ever been in an abusive relationship can probably relate to that very much.
I couldn‘t anticipate the ending and that kept the story engaging until the last page.
I learned a lot about drugs btw.
She is relatable and likable. I wanted her to be happy.
The fact that the story is written from the perspective of the abuser and the victim is very interesting.
You can see that both of them live in a world of would-believe far removed from reality and facts.
Everyone who has ever been in an abusive relationship can probably relate to that very much.
I couldn‘t anticipate the ending and that kept the story engaging until the last page.
I learned a lot about drugs btw.
September 5, 2023
This was the first book I have read by Loretta Stinson and I can say that after I got into it I enjoyed it. Janie was a young girl who wanted a family and someone to love and love her back. Paul was a loner who loved Janie but could not control himself. I was really disappointed with how fast the end of the book went and it ended with a few loose ends that I feel should have been tied up.
February 26, 2024
wow. descriptive and accurate🥲 pulls on your heartstrings. iykyk
June 20, 2025
gripping, devastating, haunting, full of love
October 27, 2010
This is a first novel by the author. A very touching book about domestic abuse; it has it's hard and soft parts. It is the story of Janie Marek, a 16 year old runaway (or castoff by her stepmother after her father dies.) Janie has hit the road on her own and does what ever is necessary for her survival. She dances at a topless bar, where she meets Clarence "Stella" Stubbs, who befriends her and sticks by her no matter where she lands. After being beaten and raped by a stranger while hitchhiking, Stella takes her to his home to recuperate. Later on, she meets Paul Jesse, a drug dealer and sometimes drug addict. As Paul drifts deeper into the drug scene, he becomes abuse to Janie and ends up badly beating her. Stella again comes to the rescue, taking her to live with his wife and new daughter, in another town. As Janie begins to recuperate this time, she meets Marta, who helps Janie realize that she does not have to endure beatings and cruelty just to have a place to live. She teaches Janie that she is a capable person, who can realize her dreams of going to college and getting a job.
This was a thought provoking and poingnant book about spouse abuse and domestic violence. It has some graphic scenes of beatings, but the ending is a triump for Janie, who becomes an independent person.
This was a thought provoking and poingnant book about spouse abuse and domestic violence. It has some graphic scenes of beatings, but the ending is a triump for Janie, who becomes an independent person.
July 28, 2010
Loretta co-taught one of my writing classes and is a pretty awesome woman. I went to her reading and had to stand because Powell's apparently wasn't expecting much of a turn out. Loretta opened up by singing a line in the book, a line from a Sly Stone song-I had to ask at the end. I was broke at the time and had to slink away unable to buy the book at the time. I bought it the following week.
There is a children's book with the same title by Keith Baker, and apparently Loretta got her title from a Joni Mitchell song(somebody else asked, but I didn't know, either). Though the children's book is onviously far different it seems fitting, a hummingbird flits about and a little boy paints the birds' movement pattern. Loretta writes about a fictional character with a lot of her own personal experiences embedded. The sections Loretta read were like that of a hummingbird, albeit an abused but hopeful hummingbird. Fly fast, or your heart stops...
I am happy to applaud Loretta's novel even before I read it because I know that writing isn't the hard part, the going through the motions are, and not everyone makes it. Congratulations Loretta!
There is a children's book with the same title by Keith Baker, and apparently Loretta got her title from a Joni Mitchell song(somebody else asked, but I didn't know, either). Though the children's book is onviously far different it seems fitting, a hummingbird flits about and a little boy paints the birds' movement pattern. Loretta writes about a fictional character with a lot of her own personal experiences embedded. The sections Loretta read were like that of a hummingbird, albeit an abused but hopeful hummingbird. Fly fast, or your heart stops...
I am happy to applaud Loretta's novel even before I read it because I know that writing isn't the hard part, the going through the motions are, and not everyone makes it. Congratulations Loretta!
October 21, 2010
Powerful book without being too maudlin or overly sentimental. My two biggest issues with this novel are 1) the setting. It was set in the 70s, but aside from a few references to bands or clothing styles, I'm not sure of the reason. 2) lack of deep exploration of main character (Jainie). I felt like most of the time she was two dimensional.
But, it was a good book, well written and I would recommend it and actually give it 3.5 stars.
But, it was a good book, well written and I would recommend it and actually give it 3.5 stars.
January 28, 2016
A difficult and moving coming of age story whilst navigating an abusive situation. A nuanced perspective that reveals humanity in all parties involved in a domestic abuse situation. I'll write more about this exceptional first novel soon. Look for more from this skillful author.
December 8, 2010
Excellent read!
May 17, 2011
I really like this book. It was one of those books where the person has one awful event after the next, but manages to pick herself up time after time and actually get somewhere in life.
Want to read
June 8, 2011Stinson is adjunct prof at Portland State U and I'm reckoning got inspiration for her debut work from her own survival story ~ can't wait to check it out!
June 20, 2013
Like playing with an open cut. I wasn't breathing through most of this book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews