The Poisonwood Bible: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Kevins Review of The Poisonwood Bible
Review: Barbara Kingsolver delivers a compelling novel to be enjoyed throughout time with The Poisonwood Bible. Kingsolver is successful in adding both influences from her past as well as historical context into the novel, adding substance and giving a strong background to the book. While the novel seems to be simply a well-written work of fiction, there are many underlying meanings that all relate to Kingsolver's life, as well as the historical timing of the novel.

Rating:
Summary: A grating load of nonsense
Review: It took all I had to read half way through this book. But I had to finally succumb to boredom and throw it away. It is a very rare occasion when I don't finish a book, out of pure curiosity if nothing else. But I'm glad to be done with this load of annoying nonsense. If you enjoy corny shallow characters,and stories that try so hard to be funny and at the same time political then you'll enjoy this. Otherwise, don't even bother.
How this author is so popular, I'll never quite figure out.

Rating:
Summary: The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver
Review: I thoroughly enojoyed Barbara Kingsolver's, The Poisonwood Bible and reccommend it to any reader who is up for the challege of a thought provoking, epic novel. The story touches on the issues of religous faith, racism, independence, and the struggle of survival in the Congolese Jungle and within a deterioating family structure. I found it interesting that the author chose to write the book from the perspective of the young girls, sometimes the mother, and never the father. I am still left questioning his thoughts, actions and reactions to most of the issues in the story from him and not how the young girls or his wife perceived his reactions to certain situations. I suppose that is what makes the novel so interesting and thought provoking because I am still thinking about it. One of the issues bothering me is that Nathan Price was only armed with the knowledge of God's word to take on the challeges of he and his family surviving in the Congolese Jungle of Africa. I believe he should have been better prepared in a "McGuyver" kind of way to keep his family fed and somewhat cared for. Mr. Price's solution to everything was to pray about it! He left the daily responsibilities of surviving to his wife and young daughters. It would not have hurt him to carry a container of water up from the river once in a while. Irritating! However, in the early 1960's American women were more apt to obey the man of the house and follow his lead. Women were not allowed to have a voice as we know still exists today in some countries. I believe this story also represents the survival and triumph of women. Faith is still intact for those that believe and have the freedom to do so in any manner they choose. It is a wonderful novel of fiction and I love the discussions it prompts with fellow readers.

Rating:
Summary: Do Not Miss This One!
Review: The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver, serves as a magnifying glass for readers to view the life of an American family and their self-destructive journey as Baptist missionaries in Kilanga, Africa during the 1960's. Kingsolver's superb character development allows the reader the clearly see the individual changes that occur in each Price family member as their family unit deteriorates amid the trials they face in the Congo. Kingsolver seamlessly transports the mind to a setting that is foreign to many. Her accurate descriptions of the culture, and environment, bridge the distance between what many envision Africa to be and how it truly is. The book is uniquely written from the perspectives of the four Price daughters, Rachel, Leah, Adah, and Ruth May, with Orleanna Price, their mother, interjecting a narrative every so often. The development of each character sheds light on the eurocentric culture that America is often prone to embrace, while at the same time highlighting Africa's simplistic nature. This work parallels Schwarz-Bart's "The Bridge of Beyond", the story of a mother overcoming personal trials and tragedies in life, including the death of a child. While Kingsolver's mother character, Orleanna Price, is different in character and culture from Schwarz-Bart's Toussine, both prove to be mothers who are learning to constantly adapt to what life has given them and come out stronger in the end. The Poisonwood Bible depicts the reality that while people can overcome their past, they will always bear scars as a result. Although the Poisonwood Bible was written only a few years ago, it is one that can stand among the classics devoted to Africa's post-colonial period.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful novel of life in a world we take for granted!
Review: I am particularly enticed by the creative literature and precise seperation of character as seen when I move from chapter to chapter exploring the caustic Africa. Kingslover has made a novel both the amature and the advance can obtain knowledge from and wisen for the most part. Every teenager should indulge in this fantastic book. The book created a fear in me for I was oblivious to the world outside the paradise to which I live but now I can empathise and feel that sort of need to explore and discover the ruthlessness of life in a world we often take for granted.
I give Kingslover all my support, since I cannot find the dedication she had to write with such intense characterization as I wish to achieve as a young writer.

Rating:
Summary: ohhhh yessss!
Review: this book... ahhh... it has so much to give! it is in my top five for sure! insight into the mind of everyone in a way that is intimate beyond anyother book, because it never prefers one person over another. it has infinate applications, and just ohhhh... this book for sure!

Rating:
Summary: Salvation or Exploitation
Review: "Forgive me, Africa, according to the multitudes of thy mercies" (525)
Barbara Kingsolver's novel, The Poisonwood Bible, is a powerfully, moving account of the Congo's struggle for independence from Belgium rule during the 1960's and the political corruption that followed. Told through the voice and experience of the Price family, who are missionaries in Africa, one can come to understand more fully the rape of the Congo's natural resourses and the oppression suffered by the people of color at the hands of nations, including America, with a lust for greed. Kingsolver has a keen insight to the plight of the African people, their unique culture, and the political evil that taunts them.

Rating:
Summary: My Book of the Year
Review: To me, a great read doesn't just keep you turning the pages, it also teaches you something and whets your appetite for more information. This is definitely one of those books. It's just brilliant, and had me racing out to buy more Kingsolvers (she's always good, I discovered). It'll challenge you. It'll make you think. It may even open your mind. It's THAT good.

Rating:
Summary: Tremendous writing and story
Review: I read this a year or 2 ago but it stays in my mind as one of my favorites....intellectually stimulating, a real page turner, gripping politics.

Rating:
Summary: Oren's review
Review: The Poisonwood Bible takes place in the Congo in the 1950's and 60's. It is about a family with a preacher for a father that is trying to christianize the natives. He is of no help to his family and they go thourgh hard times. When they are suggested to leave because a civil war was just won, but the father choses for them to stay. The rest of the book is about what happens to the family.
If you make it through the first one hundrad pages it is a great book. The beginning of the book is a bit too slow but after that it has a lot more action. It has incredible detail that makes you feel like you are there in the jungle trying to survive. It is incredble to think about what a hard time the American would have to been in the Congo with no previous training in the languge or culture.