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Summary: Excellent book about the psyche of man
Review: Kingslover does an excellent job in telling a gripping story about intense missionary work in the Congo, but she also goes deep into analyzing the psyche of man, especially as the story is told through various characters and therefore from quite a few different perspectives. Her story shows us that nobody is perfect, although we may have a strong faith in God. It's a thick book all right, and it's not an easy read, but once you've read The Poisonwood Bible, you know you've read a book with excellent characterization, first-class narrative, interesting dialogues and a gripping tale of survival. For practical Christianity though, I recommend a non-fiction book by Dietmar Scherf called "I Love Me: Avoiding and Overcoming Depression" which will shed a lot of light on important aspects of true faith.
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Summary: Minor flaws, but nonetheless a triumph
Review: I am only an occasional reader of contemporary fiction (mainly stick to non-fiction), but I have read most of Kingsolver's books and I'm happy to say that this is most definitely my favorite. Her writing is beautiful and her ability to develop the characters is what really brings the book to life for me. It did seem perhaps a little preachy toward the end, but it did make me more aware of the recent history in Congo.
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Summary: A leading cause of depression among readers
Review: I have read all of Barbara Kingsolver's previous books, essays, and short stories. I enjoyed them all. That is not the case with The Poisonwood Bible. I found this book depressing, preachy, and not at all enjoyable. I felt like reading this book was a penance I was being forced to do. I donated it to the local public library, so maybe I can save some other unsuspecting reader from having to pay for it. I got the message that the white man should not change the Africans way of life, and that culture is a function of environment. I hope Ms. Kingsolver has done her preaching for her career, and can get back to writing that is of the high quality of her earlier works. She does not have the only truth, as the Baptist missionary did not have it in this pitiful novel,
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Summary: The ending seriously weakens the novel
Review: I was captivated by the book at first, but the last third should have been cut. Kingsolver hurts the story by descending into a politically correct preachiness that doesn't suit her characters. In addition, the turns that the plot takes toward the end don't ring true. (I did not, for example, for a moment believe that the mother, after gathering the strength to make her big move in the story, would let her family fall apart so easily.)But this is the same rut Kingsolver has been in since she started publishing novels. She's quite good at devising imaginative situations and creating interesting characters, but her endings are always weak. She doesn't trust her characters; the people that seem so real and warm at the beginning of her novels become at the end little more than propaganda-spouting robots for Kingsolver's social views. I was sad to see that this book falls into that tired rut. I doubt that I'll read any of her future books because I'm sick of her pontificating. Truly gifted novelists are subtle; Kingsolver is just shrill.
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Summary: Great book!
Review: It's a great book, really something, super & fabulous!
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Summary: A story of a family and a nation ...wonderful
Review: I found the first two thirds of this book incredibly exciting and enjoyable. I loved the way events were strung together from five different angles. I thought the way the style of writing change depending on whether it was the mother or one of the daughters telling us the story was superb. I enjoyed the poetic and sensitive parts of the mother and Adah. The forthright Leah and the so very cute parts of Ruth May were also a pleasure to read. I think Barbara Kingsolver had trouble trying to write for Rachel Price, an ignorant, self absorbed and mean spirited teenager and a woman. I was so captivated by the beautiful writing of Orleanna, in the first section and found the book impossible to put down after that. The way Kingsolver described life in a Congo village from the five different perspectives made feel like I was actually there, smelling the forest and looking over the little black kids in rags playing in the red dust. I loved the parts about the language and how one word can mean so many different things, that at times are related yet appear almost opposite. I found myself laughing out loud at the "Tata Jesus is bangala", which what Rev. Price used to come closer to the villagers yet had a different meaning from what he intended. Kingsolver's appreciation of the Congolese culture, people and habits was rooted in her appreciation of the linguistic subtleties of their language. She did a masterful job getting this across to the reader. My main criticism of this book, is the way some of the characters come across so very narrow. Rev. Price and Rachel practically have nothing good about them, both are self centered and generally mean spirited. On the other hand Anatole is perfection itself in every facet. The other characters were much better rounded and a lot more believable. As to the politics of the book, even though I do not know much about Congolese and Belgian colonial history, I suspect Kingsolver analysis is again one sided and overly romantic. (I finished reading this book on the day Mugabe said he would rule over Zimbabwe even if he loses the elections.) I struggle to think of one African leader from the liberation movements of the 1960's who did not end up an oppressive dictator. Could Lumemmba have been a different kind of a leader? No one will ever know.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: Barbara Kingsolver has created a masterpiece. The writing in The Poisonwood Bible is exquisite, sharing the vitality and lushness of Africa while exposing the narrators' 5 different personalities. Having just finished the book today, I am intrigued about Africa's history and European influence - and beleive me, I am no history buff. Through a facsinating plot, beautiful imagery, and a real message in her writing, Kingsolver has accomplishd something wonderful - a novel that not only is fun to read, but reveals a deeper truth about life in the process. Bravo.
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Summary: Excellent Commentary and Sybolism
Review: I recently saw that Oprah has selected this book as her Book of the Month. Normally I don't agree with many of her selections - but in this case I do. Kingsolver has created rich, believable characters. Each character has her turn at describing the events that she witnesses. What I found interesting is the recurring events, being told through different characters and how they, in turn view and process what they witness/encounter. Without giving too much away - I can say that the book is laced with excellent uses of symbolism. The witting is easily understood and at times, you can hear the distinctive voices of each of these ladies as you begin to read their story. There is a message contained within the story and it is not difficult to pick up on it - and if you think about it after you read the book - you will find yourself referring this book to other people.
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Summary: Oprah's pick--Poisonwood Bible`
Review: I found it to be very well written and extremely captivating. A man chooses his Teachings of God to 3rd world over his own family. The writter gives such good wording, it makes you feel you're right where they are. I enjoyed it immensely. Hope you enjoy it also.
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Summary: Kingsolver outdoes herself!
Review: This is by far the best book I have read in a long, long time. Kingsolver has outdone herself. It just bowled me over. This is an incredible story that haunts you long after the last page is read. It's like watching a car crash in slow motion. Disaster looms ahead plain to see, getting closer and closer and finally it hits with awesome power. And then hits again. Chaos and disaster are seldom written with such compassion - or wit. I laughed in even some of the most horrible moments. As always with Kingsolver's stories, the human spirit triumphs. This book starts slow. Think malaria, think the haze of jungle heat. Think of ghosts. In this modern day and age we are accustomed to our entertainment starting off with big explosions and fighting. Not here. Be still and let the jungle creep in on you with vines and fungus. Let this story invade you. This book is like two books really. Some say this is bad writing. In truth, it is two books. And that's how it has to be. There is a before and there is an after. I found it very effective storytelling. The shockwaves of the central tragedy continue to ripple through the characters' lives as they go their separate ways. The Poisonwood Bible, like the best books, is about everything. And Kingsolver isn't afraid to challenge her readers. How do we respond to tragedy? Who do we become in a seemingly injust world. Fighters? Scientists? Ghosts? How do we make sense of the world and live as we should? Kingsolver delights in challenging our perspectives. In this tale even snakes have their place in the universe. Provocative, stunningly beautiful, and a great story. Enjoy!
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