Rating: 
Summary: It was an OK book
Review: To tell you the truth, i didn't like this book very much at all! Everyone had been talkign about how good it was, but when i FINALLY got involved in the story and could manage to keep the characters in order it wasn't that exciting. It was neat to see the different points of views from the characters, but it took you a while to find out what their perspective was on everything, and then go back to the story to put the pieces together. When you do finally get involved it isn't that bad of a book, and in the end whne they tell you what the daughters are doing when they are fully grown, it is funny to see how they have changed. The plot has a lot of twists that keep you involved, but you NEED to be constantly reading the book to get everything straight! The main plot was a good idea if it didn't always go into a million different directions!
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent portrayal of contemporary development issues
Review: Kingsovler shows the world her exacting and provocative insight into developmental issues, both historical and contemporary. The issues that she raises and examines in this beautiful work of fiction are so closely tied to actual events and issues that one may mistakenly assume the work to be non-fiction. Without disagreeing with or supporting her portrayal of the Christian faith, I will say that she uses scripture and common missionary reasoning and 'arrogance (for lack of a better word)to show some of the reasons why the development agenda in Africa through the last half of the twentieth century has only marginalized the continent more so. Her use of four characters (all of them sisters, and occasionally the mother) to tell the story of their family's venture from Georgia to the Congo and their lives afterwards gives the reader an excellent insight into their situation. The book is an easy read and an insightful and provocative one to those who wish to learn more on the subject of African marginalization, development (or lack of it), and cultural reality. I came across this book as required reading in a World Development Geography class in my sophomore year of university (International Relations and Development Program).
Rating: 
Summary: A Pleasant Surprise...
Review: I bought this book because I needed something that would last through 2 six hour flights and it fit that length. I expected that the book would be dry and boring and to my pleasant surprise it turned out to be one of the most engaging novels that I have ever read. An absolute page turner from the first page to the end. The characters were well developed to a point where I actually began to feel their emotions. A Southern Baptist Minister moves his family to the Congo with the hopes of bringing Christianity to Africa. This book illustrates the effects of his mission on himself, his family and the surrounding population.
Rating:
Summary: WOW! WHAT A GREAT NOVEL.
Review: i received this as a gift, and was quickly drawn into the characters. this book is more of an experience than just reading. the author uses five different voices to tell the story, and it is truly fascinating. given, it is a different sort of book, but it was a welcome change from my regular reading.
Rating:
Summary: More please from Barbara Kingsolver
Review: Definitely one of the best books I've ever read. I think three people got it from me as Christmas presents. The story is compelling in and of itself, but Kingsolver's use of the local African culture and mysticism is amazing. I also think she did an excellent job on character development with the three girls and the mom. They had such distinct personalities, opinions and voices and the emotional and intellectual development of the girls (with the exception of the eldest, of course)was so realistic. I would love to read other novels that Kingsolver would write, although I understand that mostly she has written essays.
Rating:
Summary: A great story bogged down by an unending denouement.
Review: For the first 300 pages, this is a great book that thoroughly engages you in another world. While the plot and characters are all well done, the highlight of this book is the author's wonderful depicition of the Congo. Not only does she do a wonderful job of evoking the setting, but she also skillfully interweaves the historical and political background of the region. This will be a welcome discovery for most readers. Unfortunately, my enjoyment of the first two thirds of the book was tempered by the incredibly long resolution. Without spoinling it for new readers, there is a definite point where the primary plot is resolved. The rest of the book felt like one big afterword to me. Yes, I had become invested in the lives of the primary characters, and it was nice to find out what happened to them. However, the tension and drama of the original storyline was gone.
Rating:
Summary: Im amazed!
Review: I must say, I was a bit intimidated by the size at first, but some how I managed to jump in. Once I started, though, I just could not put this book down! It was just so realistic, you could really understand all the characters, it was like living five lives at once! Although a bit predictable in parts, it still kept you wondering what the other characters thought about one event or another. I really was amazed at the realistic points of view.
Rating:
Summary: The Poisonwood Bible
Review: Excellent book. Having spent time working as a volunteer in Africa in a similar type setting, I found the descriptions of the environment and the people, native Africans as well as whites very accurate. Her development of the different characters, the mother, father and four daughters was superb and very thoughtful and ran the gamut from the religious zealot to the one who totally adopts the native lifestyle. I personally also liked the philosophies that she presents about the differences in how we all individually approach life. One of the best books that I have read.
Rating:
Summary: Not your typical missionary tale
Review: All stories based in Africa deal with survival under extreme conditions (war, drought, floods, famine, disease, and infestations).This novel, however, is about overcoming the challenges that we find within ourselves. The extreme conditions of African village life are simply a backdrop to the internal struggles of a missionary family, the Price family, as each is transformed forever by the experience of life in Africa.
Rating: 
Summary: through te eyes of an 18yr old guy. . .
Review: okay, so the only reason i picked it up in the first place was because my public service professor made it a requirement. but i did read it and found it not to be my cup of tea. definitely a book for chicks. i mean, come on! another story about women struggling against the man in thier life. haven't seen anything like that before! (sarcasm) if you are into Lifetime: television for women then by all means head down to the library and get it. if not, i wouldn't risk the overdue book fines. . .this book is long. like 550 pages long. i gave it 2 stars, though, because i did feel some love for the characters, and found it very readable from the way the book kept changing point of view. that was a nice perspective. anyway- the poisonwood bible- that's it through the eyes of an 18yr old guy.
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