In 'The Poisonwood Bible' by Barbara Kingsolver, a missionary family led by the fervent Baptist preacher Nathan Price moves to the Belgian Congo in 1959. The story unfolds through the perspectives of the four daughters and the wife as they navigate survival and adaptation in a vastly different culture amidst the backdrop of political upheaval during the Congo Independence movement. Each character develops uniquely in response to their exposure to the Congolese environment, creating a rich tapestry of family dynamics and individual growth.

Kingsolver masterfully weaves historical context with compelling storytelling, drawing readers into the vividly portrayed lives of the Price family and the Congolese people. Through her poignant writing style, she explores themes of faith, cultural clashes, family relationships, and personal evolution, leaving a lasting impact on readers long after they have turned the final page.

Characters:

The characters, particularly the Price sisters and Orleanna, are complex and relatable, each grappling with their identities and beliefs in the face of adversity.

Writing/Prose:

Kingsolver's writing is both beautiful and poignant, skillfully blending personal narratives with broader historical and political contexts.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative focuses on the Price family as they grapple with their faith and identity while living in the Congo, ultimately facing tragic consequences.

Setting:

The setting is vividly described, providing a backdrop that is crucial to understanding the characters and their experiences.

Pacing:

The pacing varies throughout the book, starting slowly and becoming more engaging, but some readers find the conclusion drawn out.

IMAGINE A RUIN so strange it must never have happened. First, picture the forest. I want you to be its conscience, the eyes in the trees. The trees are columns of slick, brindled bark like muscular an...

Notes:

The Poisonwood Bible was published in 1998 and is considered a modern classic.

The novel explores themes like politics, religion, colonialism, and cultural misunderstanding.

The Price family consists of four daughters: Rachel, Leah, Adah, and Ruth May, and their mother, Orleanna.

Each daughter has a distinct voice and perspective that reflects her character's personality and growth.

The story is set against the backdrop of the Belgian Congo's struggle for independence in the 1960s.

The father, Nathan Price, is portrayed as a zealot whose misguided beliefs lead to conflict and tragedy for his family and the villagers.

Adah, one of the twins, has a unique way of thinking and speaks in palindromes, contrasting with her more conventional sister, Leah.

The book is structured into five sections, each focusing on a different phase of the family's life, illustrating how their experiences in the Congo shape them over time.

The novel critiques the evangelical missionary movement and raises questions about the ethics of imposing one culture or religion on another.

Kingsolver's vivid descriptions of the Congo allow readers to feel immersed in the setting, making Africa a character in its own right.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of abuse, racism, religious fanaticism, loss, trauma, and cultural insensitivity.

Has Romance?

While the primary focus is on family dynamics and personal transformation, there are elements of romance especially in the interactions of the daughters as they navigate their lives.

From The Publisher:

This story is 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.

Ratings (220)

Incredible (67)
Loved It (85)
Liked It (42)
It Was OK (12)
Did Not Like (10)
Hated It (4)

Reader Stats (384):

Read It (224)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (119)
Did Not Finish (8)
Not Interested (31)

2 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

Loved It

3 months

One of those books I've been wanting to read for years and just recently requested from the library. I loved most parts of the book, well written and easy to get invested in. Bit didn't feel like it's quite a five star read. Might change my rating later when it's been sitting in my mind a bit

sbasum807

Hated It

7 months

Don't know. Just could not get into it. Perhaps to much hype at the time.

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About the Author:

Barbara Kingsolver's thirteen books of fiction, poetry and non-fiction include the novels The Bean Trees and the international bestseller The Poisonwood Bible which, amongst other accolades, won the 2005 Penguin/Orange Reading Group Book of the Year award. Her most recent novel is The Lacuna.

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The Poisonwood Bible

Barbara Kingsolver