Rating: 
Summary: good, but the political correctness was annoying
Review: An otherwise excellent story was ruined about 100 pages from the end, when things digressed into a whiny politically correct diatribe about how all of Zaire's problems are due to the U.S. backing Mobutu when he first came to power. The political subplots would have been fine, though, if Kingsolver's characters hadn't been so disgustingly sanctimonious. It made the book really unpleasant to finish.
Rating: 
Summary: ***** Five More Stars for "The Poisonwood Bible" *****
Review: I first heard about Barbara Kingsolver from a favorite cousin and, within a very short time, had managed to read all of her books that the local library had to offer. My first impression was that she had a lot of potential but wasn't quite "there" yet. Although I enjoyed her writing, it seemed to lack endings and continuity and connections. Then, I ran across "The Poisonwood Bible" and I got it. In her forward, Barbara states that she had been thinking, studying and working on this book for a very long time. "The Poisonwood Bible" is just about perfection for this reader. Not all writers have to invest the time and toil that this book involved to create a great read, but that is what this book had to have to be what it is. It's been a very, very long time since I have read a book that grabbed me the way this one did. I hope I don't have to wait as long to find my next near-perfect book. Barbara Kingsolver, I am truly impressed.
Rating: 
Summary: Surprisingly Cynical
Review: I was assigned this book for summer reading, and I was expecting it to be typical Oprah book material. I was pleasantly surprised. There is a lot of hidden cynical thoughts, and some sassy comments. This book was a delight to read, and kept me turning the pages. It can be a nice story, or if you want to look deeper, it can be a book with a lot of umph to it. There is a lot of symbolism. The story is about a semi-mad missionary who drags his wife and four daughters into the Congo with him, during Independence. Kingsolver follows not only the Congo's transformation but also those of the mother and daughters. Brilliantly written, the author can switch characters with such skill. This piece of work is written in a very believable, likeable style. You will be drawn into their struggle.
Rating:
Summary: I don't understand the fuss
Review: I do not get what everyone has been raving about. I found the book longwinded and hard to follow. I did not relate to the characters and found them unsympathetic. I finished it because I felt I had to.....hoping that it would click eventually. It did not.
Rating:
Summary: the dark continent...
Review: I don't know really what I was expecting from this book and it was a little slow to start, but soon discovered myself pulled in and enjoying every page of it! I thought the story was well-told and kept my interest. The format added to the story as well...getting to hear various sides of the story from different characters was a unique way to go, but effective and gave the feeling at times that you were flipping through different books. This was especially true as time went on and the family members all parted ways. I'd recommend it definitely, but would warn that you need to push through the first few chapters to really get into the story.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Blend of Fiction and Fact
Review: What an epic!I read this book with great interest the plot was good. Arrogant Minister/Father feeling he can change all in the name of God. I felt Nathan's character was also a mirror to America's cold-war mentality: Go Out and destroy Communism wherever it may crop up/Go and preach the word of god among the highways and byways... funny parallelism there, no? The story told in the form of the Mother and her children was done well with each have their distinct voice this was rich. Kingslover thickens her plot with the very real historical and political backdrop -- it made very good auxilliary reading to understand the time. Thank you Ms. Kingslover for telling us a wonderful story of fiction, but moreso for educating us somewhat on a part of history that few folks stateside will choose to recall.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful novel
Review: I am a big fan of Kingsolvers work, but was hesitant to try this book. It seemed too different from her novels I had recently read. Once I started reading though, I could not stop! You get to know the characters so well, whether you like them or not, you are truly attatched to them by the end of the book. Her writing is so detailed and full of humor that you start reading slower so the book will last longer. I know this will be a book I will never get rid of. You can read it over and over again, its that good.
Rating:
Summary: fun and funny
Review: i found this delightful kingsolver book at times hilarious because of the pompous nathan (the dad and missionary). what a fun read. kingsolver does it again.
Rating:
Summary: Poisonwood Bible
Review: What a great read. I generally shy away from books this long (I get bored quickly, travel alot and don't like to carry big tomes, all the normal reasons.) This exception came highly recommended, and I found myself not wanting the book to end. The writing was clever - the same story was told through the eyes of several young girls and their mother, as they grew up facing the challenges of moving to, living in, and growing up in Africa. Well worth a read. It's not a beach book - but rather one of those that you'll enjoy on a cool fall day or into the winter.
Rating:
Summary: Not Kingsolver's best
Review: I found this book a plodding, political, depressing read and wished I'd never picked it up. Kingsolver is an excellent writer but this story is definitely not her best.
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