The Poisonwood Bible is a story told by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce, evangelical Baptist who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. They carry with them everything they believe they will need from home, but soon find that all of it—from garden seeds to Scripture—is calamitously transformed on African soil. What follows is a suspenseful epic of one … epic of one family’s tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction over the course of three decades in postcolonial Africa.
The novel is set against one of the most dramatic political chronicles of the twentieth century: the Congo’s fight for independence from Belgium, the murder of its first elected prime minister, the CIA coup to install his replacement, and the insidious progress of a world economic order that robs the fledgling African nation of its autonomy. Against this backdrop, Orleanna Price reconstructs the story of her evangelist husband’s part in the Western assault on Africa, a tale indelibly darkened by her own losses and unanswerable questions about her own culpability. Also narrating the story, by turns, are her four daughters—the self-centered, teenaged Rachel; shrewd adolescent twins Leah and Adah; and Ruth May, a prescient five-year-old. These sharply observant girls, who arrive in the Congo with racial preconceptions forged in 1950s Georgia, will be marked in surprisingly different ways by their father’s intractable mission, and by Africa itself. Ultimately each must strike her own separate path to salvation. Their passionately intertwined stories become a compelling exploration of moral risk and personal responsibility.
Dancing between the dark comedy of human failings and the breathtaking possibilities of human hope, The Poisonwood Bible possesses all that has distinguished Barbara Kingsolver’s previous work, and extends this beloved writer’s vision to an entirely new level. Taking its place alongside the classic works of postcolonial literature, this ambitious novel establishes Kingsolver as one of the most thoughtful and daring of modern writers.
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it was an original story about a family serving as missionaries and the impact it had on their and others lives.
Great book!
Had a very prosaic way of writing. Was a bit too long particularly the last several chapters.
Having read other books by Barbara Kingsolver, I decided to read this one based on recommendations by friends. It started out strong with powerful characters and lots of action. The author does such a great job of creating the visuals of the setting as well. But to be honest, the book kind of lost me in the second half. It felt like the world’s …
Over the years I have read this book 3 times are throughly enjoyed it each time. I enjoy fiction with informative facts and B Kingsolver provides many opportunities to learn something new while being totally entertained with the unfolding story.
Kingsolver weaves a wonderfully tragic tale of the fallout of one man’s decision upon his family. The story is told through the voices of the female members of the family. Kingsolver deftly and imaginatively gives each character her own voice, personality, cadence that shines through in her writing.
Loved this book. All the characters were well developed and believable.
Reading this was informative, inspirational, wonderful.
I read this book because it was on Oprah’s reading list. Man, I did not expect what I found between the covers. No spoils here.
One of the best.
I loved this book. It’s long but well worth reading.
I read this many years ago. It’s a wonderful book I would recommend to everyone.
Barbara Kingsolver’s books are always wonderful. Great characters and unusual settings and stories. This one you’ll remember the characters and the events of their lives for a long time.
The book illustrates how the best of intentions can cause disastrous results when we fail to consider the culture, knowledge and intelligence of someone or group with whom we do not share a corresponding position. This problem is timeless making the book timeless.
This is one book that no one should pass up.
The book opens up with dialog that takes you to the setting. It is captivating and emotional.
This might be the best of her books. The characters are unforgettable and well developed. The skill of writing each chapter as If each daughter is speaking to you was brilliant.
I love Barbara Kingsolver and think this is her best. An adventure gone wrong turns into a moralistic tale, but doesn’t preach.
One of my favorite books of all time. Continually recommend to people.
My number one all-time favorite book. The best book to escape to no matter your age, your interests, your mood, your situation. Just read it!!!
Wonderful and haunting story. Read it several years ago and it still stays with me.
One of my all time favorites!