Poisonwood Bible Review

The book is told in the voices of the females in Minister Nathan Price's family:  Leah, Adah, Rachel, Ruth May, and mother, Orleanna.  The grievous misfortunes of the Price family serve as parallel to the way the Congo was exploited by foreign interference and mistreated by its own leaders. 

What really resonated with me was the realization that we sometimes have preconceived notions that our culture is superior to others.  Often, we don't respect what we don't understand, and we make assumptions based on faulty premises.  Individually and as a family, the Prices must confront challenges to their core beliefs at every turn.  Because the African Congo was such a force of nature, there was no ability for the family to obfuscate or hide from their personal truths.   Over the course of the story, the characters strip down to their essential selves and make life-and-death decisions following tragic events.  Survival depended upon respecting the forces of nature, and learning to understand not only other cultures, but also the flora and fauna we coexist with as well. 

This book stayed with me for the longest time - I simply couldn't stop thinking about it.  I highly recommend this novel.  It is one of the most authentic pieces of literature I have ever read.