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Summary: Africa is the main character in this novel.
Review: The five women whose voices carry the story -- the wife and 4 daughters of missionary Nathan Price -- tell the story of Africa as much as they tell of their own adventure there. This is the Africa -- the Belgian Congo -- newly "independent" after its exploitation by the European colonial powers. This is the Africa of villages, of village people, of the great rivers, of the great populations of animals and insects. It is also the Africa of politicians and military murderers. Read this book to learn about Africa as it was and is and ever will be, as well as to follow the growing-up of the five women (including the coming of age of the mother). Read this book in order to learn "what we have done" in and to Africa. Read this book to find out why, despite or perhaps because of what we have done, Africa is the ancestral home of all of us.
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Summary: Gripping story of how a powerful nation subdues another
Review: This was one of the best books I've read in a long time. I was swept away and felt like a participant. Rather than a story about a Baptist missionary and his family, I saw this as a tale about how a nation subdues another. How we (USA) typically go into a place, through our weight around, and force our traditions, laws, and religions down someone else's throat. Nathan Price was "the rescuer", "the world's policeman", the Unites States. He went to Congo as Leopold did - not to cherish it, but to overthrow it. To take away it's beauty and make it his own. His wife and daughters mimic other political entities as well - their reaction to the predicament.The book was well written, the characters well developed. The style of writing, where the various characters give voice to their view was outstanding. The book is long, but you won't be able to put it down. This is a must read, believe me.
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Summary: A Big and Powerful Novel of Amazing Tales
Review: "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver is one of the most powerful and well told stories I have ever read. This book is very deep and deals with many different voices and generations. The story of the Price family's work as missionaries in the Africian/Belgium Congo draws you in with amazing language, stories and the hardships that these people face. The book is divided into chapter narratives (by each of the four daughters and the mother) and the sense of adventure, heartache and even humor leaves the reader wanting more. I know the subject matter is extremely dramatic and sometimes violent, but it was the humor of these young daughters that I truly loved. I found myself laughing out loud at Rachel's comments and dreams for herself. Her dreams for going home, and what she's missing back home, cracked me up. Her shallow nature is refreshing in a way. You know you're getting the "real" her, and she's not holding any punches. All it would take to make her happy is a sweater twin-set. I truly loved Ruth Mae's innocence and ability to adapt and change with the surroundings she was forced to live in. The twins provided a voice of intelligence and often, power against their father's over-barring nature. His blinded foresight into the future was maddening and you wanted to just shake him with a force greater than any of these women had. I found the sisters relationship's to each other, and with the Congo beautiful to read. I really loved their individual stories. A beautiful story is told by all of them. I was deeply affected by this book and feel in love with these women. While I may not have always agreed with them or what they did, I can understand that they did the best with what they had. They did what they could to make it and be happy. I loved this book. My only complaint with it is, that it possibly went on a bit too long. I found myself wondering when it was going to end. I'm not sure that Barbara needed to go into such detail about what happens to the girls/women once they leave the Congo. A shorter and more condensed epilogue would have been a good idea. This is not a book for the faint of heart or inexperienced reader. It's a long and difficult read, but certainly worth the time and money. I highly recommend it.
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Summary: Utter Disappointment!!!
Review: After hearing Oprah's review and all the praise for The Poisonwood Bible I was really looking forward to reading it. I also must clarify, I use my reading time for pleasure, entertainment and escapism, a time to relax and really enjoy something. So, I thought I was settling in for an adventure and not sheer and utter misery! Granted Barbara Kingsolver is a gifted writer, the reader is able to picture in their minds eye all the characters and scenery very well. But what more could happen to these people? How much were they going to have to endure, it was painful to follow along. And at the end! I listen to people gush about how poignant and inspiring it was when all I could think of was how the characters failed themselves and their families, their ideals and beliefs turned out to be their persecution. But maybe that is why this is a good book, it conjured up all these strong feelings and arguments. It is definitely a thought provoking book but again, not my definition of pleasure reading. Life is difficult and trying enough I don't need to experience it even more in my down time.
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Summary: A wonderful writer and a captivating story.
Review: Having served as a missionary physician in a small hospital in NE Zaire in 1980, this excellent book really came alive to me. The bloody history of Zaire was expertly woven through 26 years of the lives of this tragic fictional family. The unabridged audio tapes were very well done, capturing the rhythms of Ada's poetry, the impudence of Rachael, and the languages of the Congo itself. I was never offended by the subject matter, as a former mission doc, and recommend this beautiful book without reservation.
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Summary: The Poisonwood Bible
Review: I thought the book was great. The Rev. reminded me so much of my own father. He was a very stern task master. Growing up I never could quite understand why my dear mother stood for his harshness and evilness. It wasn't until I became grown and after a few bad relationships of my own that I began to undersand. Also you have to take into account the time in which this story took place. Before Oprah reccommend it I wanted to somehow get to her to ask her to read it. I thought it was one of the most thought provoking novel's I'd read since I know this much is true, by Wally Lamb. I did think the author however got a bit off track with the politics of what she felt was happening in the Congo at the time, but that aside it was a good read. I found myself missing them when I finished the book
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Summary: Realistic - reads like non-fiction
Review: This book is so alive! I could not put it down! The characters, villagers reactions, and communal effort to help one another, the chief and elders roles, reaction to the missionaries... This is the most realistic book I have yet read on Africa by a non-African.
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Summary: Amazing, Incredible, breathtaking...
Review: An awesome journey into Africa with a missionary, bible toting minister and his family of women. The alternating perspectives and vivid detail of the women's journey physically and emotionally into and out of Africa is extremely powerful as its influences left a lasting impression on who the women ultimately became. It left a lasting impression on the reader as well. Kingsolver touches so many emotions - her characters are so rich that it is hard to put the book down.
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Summary: READ The Poisonwood Bible
Review: If you live in modern society this book pertains to your lifestyle because you depend on the surplus of cobalt, copper, diamonds, rubber ... that western society has availed to you hidden within your conveniences. Plus Barbara Kingsolver's special talent is to give you characters you want to read about. They weave their fascinating tales for you. The scenery of the Congo 14** - current lives in her imagery.
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Summary: Baptist Basher
Review: Ms. Kingsolver can certainly write a book. However, she uses this book as a forum to bash religion and men. She is so OFF-BASE about baptist religion. Baptists do not believe in infant baptism, nor do they believe you can "stand in the rain and lay hands on children and baptize them", believers in Christ are baptised when they make a personal profession of faith in him. If Ms. Kingsolver is so OFF-BASE on the issue of baptism, one can only speculate she could be OFF-BASE on the political issues as well. I shall never read another Oprah Winfrey Book Club selection!!!!!
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