Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)   Current Rating: (3.79)     # of Ratings: 33       Click HERE to share your opinion See More Literature (Contemporary)

1. Briony Maclachlan , on 4/3/2003 3:23:00 AM, said: Book Review of the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver The Poisonwood Bible, set in the tormented political era of 1960’s Congo is a perfect reflection of the straight jacket that Africa found herself in. Kingsolver depicts a most insightful and informative view of the countries pain as it struggles to free itself from Belgian rule, and the civil war that followed. Pastor Nathan Price sacrifices everything to get his family to a remote and untouched village in the heart of the Congo; his determination fired by the fuel of his own troubled past. The narrative of the novel alternates between the 5 women of the Price family yet through them an intricate picture of an arrogant and passionate pastor, blind to anything but saving the souls of the children of Africa, is built. The young women take with them the material items they need, only to discover upon arrival that not only are these of not use but their idealistic views and mentality are as futile and hindering as the English they speak. As the girls have to learn to live in their new surroundings of hunger, terror and loneliness it becomes apparent they are changed and that the rhythm of Africa is one that they will all dance to as long as they live. Kingsolver narrative is filled with such vivid imagery that one can almost smelly the thick jungle, and feel their hunger. She depicts with ease the conceited nature of those who went to Africa with luggage of only good intentions and ignorance. Kingsolver has helped us to gain a fuller understand of the struggle that Africa has gone through and the difficulties it experiences becoming a successful nation. Through the phenomenal stories of the four girls, who by the end of this novel felt like my sisters, I was flung into emotional turmoil of rage and desperation as it seemed Africa was doomed to be unstable forever, and I was surprised at my anger toward the dominating righteous Christians. But at the end of the novel I had been lulled by Kingsolver’s voice in the pages into a small body of hope. She stirs strong emotions is us thru her writing, a slight repetitive nature is apparent as the stories are reiterated by all four characters, yet it is a novel I would recommend to everyone.   (1 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not)

2. Bookworm , on 6/27/2001 12:55:00 PM, said: This is one of the best novels I have read. It is about a missionary Baptist minister who takes his wife and four daughters to live in Africa. The story is told from the point of view of each of the daugthers. This novel has a political theme - not the type I would usually choose - but it is told on so many levels it keeps you absolutely enthralled. Barbara Kingsolver is an amazing storyteller. Given the subject matter (politics, religion, culture), she did an amazing job of making this novel funny. The characters will make you laugh, anger you, and possibly make you cry. This book is a classic. If you want to read something that goes a little deeper, pick this one up. I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed it.   (3 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not)

3. Tulla , on 1/10/2001 4:52:00 PM, said: This is a captivating story of a family's struggles as they do missionary work in Africa. It's full of personal experiences as each character speaks from their own view point. There is adventure and political upheaval which directly relates to their lives. They overcome great tragedy and spend much of their lives dealing with the consequences of their journey.   (4 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not)

4. the dustin , on 1/5/2001 1:37:00 PM, said: This book is great. Kaytwo needs to get off her highhorse.   (1 people found this comment helpful, 2 did not)

5. Sharkaria , on 12/6/2000 6:46:00 PM, said: This book was so interesting that I read it in two days. The story following the mother and daughters makes it easy for women to identify with it, but the adventures in the African Congo are really fun. In addition, the masterful use of literary devices makes this book ideal for the classroom.   (6 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not)

6. Kaytwo , on 10/6/2000 9:39:00 PM, said: I find it deplorable that the author would say that God cursed the blacks through one of Noah's sons and that Oprah would recommend this book. Of course it is politically correct to paint the Baptist family with a brush full of hatred and thereby curse every other evangelical who would dare to spread the good news of Jesus Christ....the same gospel that changed by life and gave me the sure hope of eternal life in heaven instead of an eternity in Hell. Call it the Poisonwood Bible.....I call it plain poison.   (2 people found this comment helpful, 2 did not)

7. alicat , on 9/19/2000 1:04:00 PM, said:      Barbara Kingsolver is a great author. PoisonWood Bible is about a Baptist family in the 50's that goes to Africa (the Congo) to try and convert a tribe of Afticans to Baptist. It is a good book. The descriptions are great. When you are reading this book, it seems like you are gaining a lot of knowledge about Africa and its history. The family goes through a lot of problems during their stay in Africa and even more problems when they return to the US. I highly recommend this book. The only problem I had with it was it was a little too preachy for my taste. There was a lot of talks about religion and what not that I had a hard time getting into.   (2 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not)

8. Shroomwoman , on 9/15/2000 11:02:00 AM, said:       I had really high hopes for "The Poisonwood Bible," but I was disappointed when I read it. The story of a missionary family with four daughters adapting to life in the Belgian Congo certainly had potential, but it fell flat with a slow storyline- especially in the second half of the book. In general, I liked the way the story was told from the perspective of the mother and her daughters, but this was also annoying and confusing at times. As always, I was mesmerized by Kingsolver's writing style, but that wasn't enough to overcome a boring plot. I simply slogged my way through the last half of the book and was extremely relieved when I made it to the end.   (6 people found this comment helpful, 2 did not)

9. Al-Davis-Lives! , on 3/28/2000 1:02:00 PM, said: I kept hearing people rave about The Poisonwood Bible, so I picked up a copy. I had a hard time getting into it, but I kept reading, waiting for it to improve. In my opinion, it never really did. While at times I found myself marveling at how well Barbara Kingsolver wrote as different characters, that didn't make up for the slow pace.   (2 people found this comment helpful, 1 did not)

10. Red Red Rose , on 2/14/2000 12:36:00 PM, said: This book held me spellbound and increased my already negative feelings about the arrogance of missionaries and what they tried to impose and take away from other cultures. The adventures of a misguided missionary family with its fanatical father/pastor in Africa kept me turning the pages.   (3 people found this comment helpful, 1 did not)

11. prai989et , on 11/20/1999 8:14:00 AM, said: She rarely makes a misstep.   (1 people found this comment helpful, 1 did not)

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