The Poisonwood Bible

[Carmen]

In response to someone asking for a summary, here is what is written on the back of The Poisonwood Bible:

"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, The Poisonwood Bible is the story of one family's tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction over the course of three decades in postcolonial Africa."

Who has read it? What did you think?

[Elismama]

This is an excellent book, Barbara Kingsolvers best yet! It is well written and the story is completely engrossing. The historical details are all accurate, making it even more interesting. And Kinsolver lived in Africa during her childhood for a while, her parents were missionaries.

Enjoy it!

-jeanie

[NewMa]

This book is truly, truly amazing. I read it a few years ago, when it came out, and I wish I now had time to go back and reread it. Kingsolver is such a great writer.
I highly recommend Pigs in Heaven and The Bean Trees too. Has anyone read her latest? Or am I wrong in thinking that she has a new novel out? Maybe I heard about one of her non-fiction pieces and I thought it was a new novel.

[Elismama]

Newma- she has a newish novel out- Prodigal Summer. It is entertaining and I enjoyed it, but it was a bit dissappointing after the Poisonwood Bible. I think she also has a new collection of essays out... not sure what the title is.

-jeanie

[Britt]

Her latest book is a collection of essays, Small Wonder, and it's wonderful, and very timely. I've been meaning to recommend it over in Activism; I would love to see it become a best seller.

I liked Poisionwood Bible a lot, but didn't enjoy it as much the second time I read it as the first, for some reason. That was not true of my favorite Kingsolver novel, Animal Dreams, which I have read several times, I enjoyed more each time.

[Elphaba]

i loved poisonwood bible! i read it about 6 times the first year or so that i had it. i used to keep it next to my side of the bed, so if i just needed a book fix before sleep, i'd pick it up, open it to a random page and commence reading.
i'd really like to discuss literature with people, but it seems like i never have an adequate amount of time to put together a cohesive argument.
i saw the dad, nathan?, as representative of all that is wrong with white western males. what a pompous ass. constantly thinking he is above everyone and everything: his wife, his children, all black people, other christians, and most especially, nature.
that's all i have time for now.

[heartmama]

I JUST finished the Poisonwood Bible. I had read The Bean Trees And thought it was so compelling, I wanted to read more by Kingsolver.

I liked it and it was a great book. It didn't hold my attention through the second half, I think the constant change in POV got to me a little. That and the huge leaps forward through time.

The history and imagery were really unforgettable.

Heartmama

[Super Pickle]

Hi! I am a huge Kingsolver fan and have actually read everything except The Poisonwood Bible. I am kind of afraid to read it because I have a feeling she portrays missionaries in a very negative light and if so, I fear I might not like her anymore after I read it.
So what is the verdict? Does she come across as disparaging missionaries in general or is it just this one particular character?

[heartmama]

Well, I am not sure what you mean?

Overall the african culture comes across as far more tolerant and helpful to the missionaries than the missionaries are to the culture. Maybe that sums it up??

Heartmama

[NewMa]

Super Pickle-She does cast the father in a pretty negative light. He is over-zealous about his mission and blind to the harm it causes. One can read him as being emblamatic of imperialism (in its many forms) and thus as a critique. I think that it is equally possible to read the book, see the father as just a character who has bad priorities and enjoy the fabulous richness of Kingsolver's narrative.

[HokieGirl]

oooh - I was logging on just to see if anybody was talking about this. I am almost done with it and just love Poisonwood Bible - as far as trashing missionairies - while she does develop the father as a pretty nasty person, don't forget about Brother Fowles - who to me really stood for what most of the missionairies were really about- although he only makes a VERY brief appearance.

Anybody else try to figure out who they would be in the book? It seemed like the four daughters each represented a part of who I am, much as I hate to admit that part of me might be like Rachel.

I am going to be starting some of her other books later this summer. I can't wait.

Also, if you like Poisonwood Bible, I would highly recommend The Sprit Catches you and You Fall Down - it's non-fiction, but a really easy read. This is my all-time favorite book.

[Deirdre]

Britt- get your bootie over to activism

Just wanted you to know that Kingsolver's newest piece of nonfiction Small Wonder is on the NY Times bestseller list.

[Britt]

Yeah! Thanks for the great news, Deirdre! I just checked it out and it's been on the list for eight weeks. How did I miss that? I do need to get back over to activism, all the research keeps me up to date!

[OceanMomma]

I've ordered this from the library so hopefully it will be here soon. If I like it I'm going to send my Mother a copy for her 70th birthday. She grew up in South Africa & loves fiction like the book sounds.

[lilyka]

The problem with the dad was that he was proud, self rightous and confused culture with Christ. His flaws were not brought out by the mission field but have always been with him. (His selfishness was the cause of his daughter's handicap). The women in the book were a good example of keeping thier faith while adjusting to the culture, even though it was a long complicated road. The family was never supposed to be there in the first place. (sorry if anyone hasn't gotton there yet) The church, seeing his flaws thought he was a very poor canidate for missions work. The people he was going to already knew about Christ and welcomed him and his family so someone had done a good job there before him. He just went and messed it up.

I think the book should be required reading for all people planning on entering the missions feild. What impression are you making on the people? How are you coming off? Are you earning your keep or just sitting around being lazy? Are judging the people or are you loving them and thier culture the way God created them?

i good bored in the last part of the book after the women left the dad and they got older. It sorta leaped too much and covered to wide a range but over all it was one of my favorite books of all time.