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Summary: A truly wonderful story
Review: I LOVED this book! From the first page I was hooked. I loved the way the story unfolded from all the different sisters point of view,and the mothers. I loved what I learned about Africa and the Congo. I felt every joy and sadness as if I was a part of it, and the loss was almost unbearable. I can't say enough about this wonderful story, or these characters, it stayed with me long after the last page. Debbi
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Summary: A Review of The Poisonwood Bible
Review: The Poisonwood Bible was an entertaining novel of a southern, baptist family's adventures in the Belgian Congo. While I have never read a novel like this before, it was very enjoyable. Kingsolver, the author of the novel, writes with great imagery. Her use of imagery paints a vivid picture of the jungle, where you can almost feel the heat, smell the trees, and hear the jungle noises as one reads along. One can almost feel the sympathy and compassion for the Price girls for their experiences growing up in such a dangerous place while at the same time wishing you were there. There is also an element of foreshadowing in the very beginning of the novel. Orleana, Nathaniel's wife, is the first to begin talking about her experiences in the Congo. On the first page she tells the reader to not begin to feel sympathy until the story is through. That foreshadows the depth to come and the rebellion and fighting amongst the villagers and how the family reacts. Kingsolver uses an interesting and different way to bring us this historic and political novel. She allows each member of the family, ironically excluding Nathaniel, to give their own point of views. It is fascinating how through the eyes of individuals you can see so much and notice things you never would have noticed alone.
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Summary: A masterpiece....with flaws
Review: This book is by far the most thought-provoking work of fiction that I have read in 5, maybe 10 years. Do read it!This book is in a different league from Kingsolver's previous books, which are excellent reads themselves. I feel like I'm watching a good novelist develop into a great one. She's not there yet, but she's well on her way. I won't argue with those pointing out the flaws, but I found the flaws just added charm to the gifts contained in this book. BTW Rachel's character is frequently mentioned as a flaw in writing. It was the first to spring to my mind too. But even so I find myself wondering, are there really people like Rachel out there? I'm afraid there are, or at least close enough that she contains a sizable grain of truth!
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Summary: This book is fabulous!
Review: I picked this book up in hardcover when it first was published because Newsweek magazine reviewed it well. I was certainly not disappointed. I have read it 3 times and shared it with some friends and family members - all of whom lauded it as well. I also read THE BEAN TREES and PIGS IN HEAVEN by Kingsolver, but neither of those holds a candle to this book, which is nearly a work of art. The story is told through the eyes of four sisters and their mother - each chapter has a 'different' author. The story line is very compelling, the prose beautiful, and the characters superbly engaging. This is a must read book for anyone who truly enjoys a great story that is well told. Please read it - I guarantee it will be well worth your while!
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Summary: Educational, meaningful read.
Review: I wavered between three and four stars for this book. Three seemed too low because the story really affected me. Most of the characters moved me in some way. I despised Nathan. Rachel was annoying and funny. Leah impressed and dissapointed me. Ruth May was charming and brought me sorrow. Orleanna frustrated me. I identified with Adah and loved her quirky mind. This took some writing talent on Kingsolver's part. Also, the book educated me on things many white self-absorbed Americans are ignorant to. It also made me examine my race, my country and my family. My stepfather is related to Dwight Eisenhower and I was raised to think he was a hero. After reading this book, I realize my parents idolize him with unquestioning ignorance. Four stars seemed too high a rating because the book was long. It rambled in parts, especially in the end. I was left with questions, though I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to be left with questions after completing a book. But it took a while for things to wind down in the end. I recommend this challenging and thought provoking book. Be prepared for the emotional/educational impact about 3/4 through.
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Summary: A Ripping Yarn
Review: This book is excellent! Kingsolver's best. Yes, it does deal with the sticky issue of missionaries and the one in this book is totally off his trolly! Single minded, selfish and stupid, ..., this chap drags his unsuspecting family of all females out into the jungle to erase the culture of the locals and help them abandon their native ways. Turns out bad for the girls, initially, and really bad for the loony dad. Hurrah!!! Yes, you will learn about Africa's fight to get free from the Belgians..What? you say, Belgians "owned" the Congo? Yes sirree Bob and a bloody fight it was. But it will do you good to know this and along the way you'll have a thrilling ride. Get this book!
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Summary: Great Book!
Review: Nathan Price, a Southern Baptist minister, carries his wife and four daughters to Africa to do missionary work for one year in 1959. They find that the "necessities" they packed to take to the Belgian Congo are useless. They undergo numerous hardships while stationed in the Congo. Political changes give them the opportunity to leave, but the Reverend will not allow it. Despite the food shortages, illnesses, and uneasiness within the village, the Reverend refuses to leave. After the death of one daughter, the family leaves the Reverend behind. The story spans thirty years. It shows how the family recovered after life in the Congo. Two daughters stay in Africa while the mother and final daughter return to Georgia. The wife and daughters tell the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was difficult to stop reading it. The fact that it is told by the different females makes it interesting. You can see the change in personality and intelligence in each chapter. You can see a definite difference between the narration of the 5-year-old and the narration of the wife or genius daughters. It is a remarkable book.
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Summary: Wonderfully written, exotic and informational!
Review: The Poisonwood Bible is about a Baptist evangical father that takes his family of four daughters and his wife to the Belgian Congo to spread the "word" of Christ to the natives there. The family is totally unprepared for their new life in the Congo. The father thinks he can convert everyone and his tactic for conversion is often times forced and actually turns against him. However, his daughters fare much better in the Congo, from Leah befriending the villages teacher, and Ruth May bridging the gap with the younger childern with a simple game of "Mother May I". As the family settles into their new lives in the Congo, things start to go wrong. From dealing with the pains of constant hunger, floods, drought, killer ants, and diseases, the family realizes the Congo was nothing that they expected. Their lives in the Congo dramatically changes with one catastrophic event that pinpoints the opposition of most of the village to Nathans bullying attempt at conversion to Christianity. From then on, the family is forever changed and all of them go there separate ways. The rest of the novel chronicles the lives of the daughters and the mother and how they struggle ahead with their lives with the overshadowing of one event that had changed it forever. The book is a wonderful book and written well with the differentiating voices of the daughters clear and precise. Be careful though, it's a long book and alot of political opinions. All in all, I enjoyed it and missed the characters when I was finished
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Summary: An Absolutely Mesmerizing Book!
Review: If you enjoy in-depth character development, historical drama, reading beautifully written prose and are not afraid of having your "eyes opened wide" - you should read this book. It's intriguing and thought-provoking. I totally disagree with the "white south-African" reviewer but wouldn't expect any high praise from someone with that background - That's exactly what Kingsolver was writing about: the hypocrisy and unfairness of colonial rule. The reason the Congo is still suffering is because of the arrogance and selfishness of those kept unfortunately in power by the Europeans and Americans for decades - not because of the ineptitude of the people. Read this book, do your own research, and you will develop a deep compassion for the people of the Congo.
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Summary: My first Kingsolver. I've never read anything like it!
Review: As a 60-year-old, upper middle-class African-American woman, I lament the fact that I know precious little about Africa. After reading this book, I feel as if I know more, at least about one section of that continent. Kingsolver, with her ingenious biblical format, manages to help this American - who has always been pretty much self-absorbed and was certainly, as a young college music major, oblivious to the Congolese fight for independence - understand that the way we westerners, Americans in particular, think things should be done, and what we think should be believed might just be open to question. The sisters' account of their life in the Congo is chilling. But I do have to wonder how Kingsolver expects the reader to believe that two people as different at Leah and Rachel could be from the same planet, much less the same family. Rachel seems more like a caricature than a real person. But we have her to thank for what little humor is contained in a story that is, in many ways, one of unremitting sadness. I am not politically savvy enough to judge the correctness of Ms. Kingsolver's political conclusions, but they seem plausible in terms of what I know about capitalism, racism, imperialism and self-aggrandizement. Would I recommend the book? Yes, with certain reservations. It's a long read. As I neared the end I found myself thinking, "Enough, already!" But I'm glad I stuck it out. The last chapter is worth the trip. I would recommend it to females, especially, and to other African-Americans like me who, in the manner of most Americans of any ethnic background, would prefer not to trouble ourselves with thoughts of the struggling, mysterious "dark" continent.
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