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Summary: Another book about the same African theme...
Review: Reading this book, I realized that I was looking at another attempt to show the uncomprimising African culture and geography.The five-person main character theme was quite interesting, but the constant palindromes of Adah and naivety of Rachel just detracted from the book's content. I thought the focus of the book was to show the problems of "civilizing" a culture, but that seemed to fade after the father's death. Those last 200 pages just seemed to take away from the book's initial power. As I read, I kept referring to Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness". I believe Conrad's tale is more direct, follows a stronger theme, and uses one character to narrate the classic story. Although "The Poisonwood Bible" is one of the better modern books with the African theme, I have yet to see a work that matches Conrad's classic.
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Summary: Loved it....
Review: I've been a fan of Barbara Kingsolver's for a long time now. When it's time for a new release, I'm at the bookstore when it opens that morning. I devoured The Poisonwood Bible in just a couple of days. Kingsolver has an incredible gift for making her stories come alive-- and seem so real that you feel like you could just close your eyes and step into the village. I can't begin to describe how I felt when I read this book. And though I don't agree with Oprah's methods of choosing her book club selections, I can console myself by the thought that perhaps a few Oprah readers will discover the world of Barbara Kingsolver and enjoy her as much as I do.
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Summary: Priceless tribute to the power of language!
Review: A novel rich in its own lesson -- the power of language in religion, family systems and in writing! Characters and story teach us so much! Abuse of religion, family power, cultural power --all illustrated through the beautiful use of language and character in a setting that is interesting, rich and gripping. The message of this book translates across the culture in which it is set and into our own if we are willing to see it everywhere! Wonderful!
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Summary: Ambitious and captivating
Review: Kingsolver tackles a difficult issue in this novel. Whether she is successful is up to each individual reader and cannot be judged by one reading. The issue of going in and colonizing a nation, so to speak, or "civilizing" them through religion is not new. It's been debated for centuries and America has no farther to look than her own shores for such an ongoing argument. Kingsolver's characters are well developed, despite some exaggerated tendencies in Rachel and Adah, such as Rachel's insufferable self-centered nature and Adah's unstoppable cynicism. Yet the characters are believable and one cannot help but realize how easily the girls and perhaps even Nathan, are identified with. My strongest connection was with Adah, but I found myself agreeing with Leah, Orleanna, Ruth May and even Rachel sometimes. The political aspect of Kingsolver's mission is obvious. It's a blatant commentary on the actions taken in the Congo so long ago, and which we are feeling the effects of still. Yet why can't an author be direct? It does not diminish the characters, the setting, or the building of the tale. Perhaps we should, as Adah, suggested, read the story backwards, for it becomes a different story if you read it back to front.
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Summary: why do you want a 489th review of this book?
Review: At the time of this writing, there are 488 customer reviews posted. It seems you either love this book or hate it. I loved this book. It is the story of a family that goes to the Belgian Congo to perform Christian missionary work in the 1950's. It is told in the first person by the wife of the minister, and his daugthers. Its point of view would of course be feminine, but not necessarily feminist. While some reviewers seem personally offended at the author's treatment of the father, Nathan, I find him sympathetic. And, without him, there is no story. Nathan's soul is tortured. Through a quirck of fate, he misses a battle of WWII where his entire unit is lost. He never deals with it and he is changed forever. When he met his wife at a Christian revival meeting, he was kind and committed to Chirst. When he returns home from the service, we find that he has become a rigid, self righteous bible thumping preacher. He despises wife for his own perceived sin... he physically desires her. He barely tolerates his daugthers, as he takes the entire family to the Belgian Congo to pursue what he believes is his calling from God. The hierarchy of his own church does not think that he is suited for missionary work, and will not send him, but he manages to go anyway. The family is ill prepared for the Congo and this predictably has tragic consequences. Once in the Congo Nathan antagonizes the few western missionaries he has contact with. And, in the end he fails in his effort to save the souls of the natives. There is racism in the 1950's attitudes toward the villagers... their souls need to be saved, but their lives are relatively unimportant. They can pray together, but not eat at the same table. When independence come, the other western missionaries flee, fearing for their lives. But Nathan stays and he will not allow his family to leave with the others. There is the mother, who is trying to please her husband, to be a good minister's wife, and to be good mother to her four daugthers. She cannot do it all. There are the 4 girls, one a teenager who hates being uprooted from her friends, twins (one with a deformity), and a pre schooler. Their experience in the Congo changes forever who they are, and they do not all return. The constancy is found in the lives of the African villagers who have suffered much worse, than these missionaries. There is the expected culture clash between the chief, the shaman, and Nathan. Every great novel has characters who grow and change. Nathan's change took place in the Pacific in WWII. He does not change again and grow beyond that point. While he expects the Africans to change into Christians, they are constant in their own culture. That leaves it to the women of the Poisonwood Bible to change and grow. And, they do not disappoint us. Like other readers, I found the first 100 or so pages slow going. I almost put it down. But I am so glad I persisted. I highly recommend the Poisonwood Bible, and hope that there is enough that is unique in the above to justify posting a 489th review.
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Summary: we should never forget Her
Review: I agree with others who feel that it was a tough read at times and there were problems with the dialogue. I must also add that the ultimate outcome of each daughter seemed trite, and almost predictable. Despite these flaws, I had a hard time putting the book down. Something within the writing kept me going back. Having been brought up in a Catholic household, I can certainly relate to the fictional family unit. Certainly not to that extent, but I can very closesly identify with each facet of the family. Kingsolver brilliantly captured the struggle of a woman torn between the relationships with her husband and children. The subtly in which she addresses the mother's ultimate decision to turn her back on her own faith by turning her back on her husband moved me to tears. It is that which made me find this the perfect Mother's Day gift. I have yet to read a more complex, haunting, and moving account of the relationship between a mother and her family.
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Summary: Beautifully written
Review: I don't understand how there could be a single negative review of this book! I thought it was a fantastic read. Kingsolver writes beautifully. I couldn't put this book down! I have recommended it to everyone at the library where I work. I am anxiously awaiting her next book.
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Summary: Barbara Kingsolver is a Remarkably Gifted Writer
Review: I generally do not read fiction, however, this book ranks among my all-time favorites. Kingsolver's ability to portray several different characters in their own voice so separately and distinctly is remarkable (I vehemently disagree with the "white devil" reviewer - perhaps this person didn't clearly understand the book). The story spans time and personalities seamlessly and effortlessly. "Poisonwood Bible" is one of those books that draws you in, holds your attention, and stays with you. In many ways, Kingsolver's excellent writing style and ability to weave a unique and thought-provoking story is reminscent of John Irving's later work. Kingsolver is truly one of our most gifted American writers.
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Summary: A history on Perspective
Review: Kingsolver shows us the real meaning of the story about the Blind Men and the Elephant. Each of her characters can only interpret the events of their daily lives through what they themselves can see, hear, feel, taste, smell, and understand. What little we learn about Nathan Price's prior life explains, but does not forgive, his zealous evangelicalism. Kingsolver reminds us that we, too, have our own set of prior knowledge and experiences that form our perspective of the world. Though a little tough to begin, this book is worth the late nights and missed television programs. You might also find yourself doing a little online research for information on the Belgian Congo and Zaire. And you will find you will never take for granted indoor plumbing, insect repellant, plastic-wrapped meat and pasteurized milk ever again.
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Summary: 4 stars for concept, 2 for follow-through
Review: This is a great effort but becomes exasperating half-way through. The techniques the author uses to distinguish one woman from the other become increasingly annoying after they've gotten the point across(Rachel's malapropisms; Adah's private language...)Also, the dialogue among the characters in order to forward the political exposition is very stilted; it didn't sound at all like true conversation but just the author trying to hammer home her belief. I'd give this book 4 stars for concept but only 2 for follow-through. Try a library copy before buying!
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