Latest reviews about Poisonwood Bible

Readerwiththoughts says "Beautiful and engaging" about Poisonwood Bible

Readerwiththoughts — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:42:48 GMT

Loved the Poisonwood Bible. I read this book about 5 years ago it was the first novel that I'd read by this author and have since purchased two other novels by her. I haven't come across another author who can describe landscape as beatuifully and vividly as she can. I loved reading the slow decline into insanity by the father and the coming of age of one of the daughters. This book was nearly a history book about the Congo and it political climate..

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springer1520 says "Historical fiction is hit or miss; Poisonwood Bible is a hit!" about Poisonwood Bible

springer1520 — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:03:21 GMT

At first, I was reluctant to read an Oprah pick because I am not a fan of her show or her book club, but Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Biblewas one of the most intellectual and rewarding novels I have read all year. The story is beautifully crafted with the details of Africa against the patriarchal power of Nathan against his wife Orleanna and their four daughters: Rachel, Leah, Adah, and Ruth May. There is never a dull moment of read in this book, and the constant change of narrator keeps the pages practically turning themselves. A must read!...

VictoriousMary says "Poisonwood Bible Okay for a Bit of Poisoning of Adults Only" about Poisonwood Bible

VictoriousMary — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 03:17:58 GMT

I first read Poisonwood Bible because a friend of mine from my high school days suggested it and wanted my opinion. It was nothing to write home about.

At first I liked the missionary aspect and the dad's struggle and the family aspect and adventure. But the life destruction or spirit destruction of each person in the story was just too much. It was not something I would have chosen to read on my own. I did not see the book as valuable.

The second time I read it for the English department at the high school. I could not in the end recommend the book for adolescent reading. This to me was clearly adult reading. I do not want our children thinking that this is normal life, that the decisions made were good ones, or that it was okay to turn out like these characters. I would prefer they read in class and discuss more morally upright and inspiring books. I could not justify this as a choice for these students. Regardless of what students may read on their own, we educators...

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devinea says "terrible." about Poisonwood Bible

devinea — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:42:04 GMT

I was forced to read this for a high school AP english class, however, I don't think I would have ever enjoyed it if I read it on my own. I found the whole book incredibly boring and not entertaining in the least. The only reason that I was able to make it through the book was the alternating point of views between all the female characters as each chapter progressed. There was no one character that I enjoyed reading more than another because I found the whole book incredibly dry and un-interesting. I would highly NOT recommend this book to anyone and do not understand why it was one of Oprah's book club books....

eryndiane says "Interesting and well worded but predictable..." about Poisonwood Bible

eryndiane — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 03:07:41 GMT

In a nutshell, this book tells the story of the family Price, and their mission to the Congo.

I was loaned this book by a friend years ago and it sat on my shelf for at least a year, collecting dust, until I had nothing else to read. I picked it up and was able to complete the book (rarely do I ever not finish a book I have started.) but I have to say I did not have that sad feeling that I had ended a wonderful book that I longed to continue, when I was finished. I remember the storyline was interesting and that it was wonderfully detailed, but it was pretty predictable. Unfortunately this was my first read by Barbara Kingsolver and I have yet to read another.

Since I read this book some time ago, perhaps it is time for me to try another by this author, or even to try this book again? There are so many glorious reviews that I feel I may have missed something.

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KellyF says "Good enough to read again." about Poisonwood Bible

KellyF — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:39:58 GMT

Barbara Kingsolver is always good, but here she explores soul, spirituality, and cruel reality in new and even deeper ways than before. Chapters are written in various characters' viewpoints, so the reader always gets a frseh perspective. Hard to put down. Complicated enough to read a second or third time and still get new meaning out of it. ch

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andrea98us says "I did not like this book." about Poisonwood Bible

andrea98us — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 19:23:23 GMT

I like this writer and have read other books of hers, but I did not like this book at all. It was boring and I just could not get into the characthers at all. It is very long, and I am okay with long books, but I was so bored I could not finish it....

tlrclark says "Moving." about Poisonwood Bible

tlrclark — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:53:56 GMT

I read this book years ago and I still remember it quite vividly. The imagery is very evocative, especially important since it mostly takes place in Africa and I have never been there. Like all of Barbara Kingsolver's novels, the characters feel real from day one and only continue to develop. Amazing....

ashreec says "One of the best books I was forced to read" about Poisonwood Bible

ashreec — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:26:41 GMT

I first read this book for one of my college courses a few years ago. It was on the syllabus and I wasn't really looking forward to reading it because the title didn't grab me and I have never read a book that was set in Africa that I liked. Anyhoo, I had to read the book and I ended up loving it. I was drawn to the characters and actually felt like I developed feelings for them. I couldn't have been more happy when the father met his fate at the end and was terribly sad over what happened to one of the girls. The book is excellently written and the reader will be drawn into the plot and the characters lives and will feel connected to them.

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dogsrule says "One of the finest books I have read in years" about Poisonwood Bible

dogsrule — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:05:39 GMT

This was my first introduction to the writing of Barbara Kingsolver and what an experience! Truly one of the finest books I have ever read. In addition to being a wonderful piece of fiction, it is excellent on so many levels - it makes you think again about so many different things - the nature of faith, prejudice, choices, and consequences. The character development is, as someone else said, impeccable. You come to know and understand each of the characters in a way that is rare in most fiction novels. I would not consider this light reading, but I would heartily recommend this book who doesn't mind being asked to think a little about what they read.

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coolkr31 says "looking to be intrigued?" about Poisonwood Bible

coolkr31 — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:10:19 GMT

I read this book first in high school as recommended by a truely fabulous creative-writing teacher and was blown away. I then read it again in college and got even more out of the experience and will most likely read it a few more times throughout my life. Always a recommendation off the bat. Good for those who want a read they can truely internalize and examine as well as open their mind to new culture and experience they may never get the chance to hear about otherwise....

willing2fight says "Amazing story--moving and exciting--a must-read for sure!" about Poisonwood Bible

willing2fight — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 20:27:58 GMT

This book remains of my list of favorites. Whenever I am asked for a book reocmmendation this is one of the first I suggest. This book nails it in so many ways! Every character is developed so well, down the tiniest detail, you'd swear you know them. Because of this, it is incredibly moving to follow the characters through a variety of great and tragic experiences. Well-written and unique. Read it! Read it!...

LoveisJoy says "Literature At Its Finest..." about Poisonwood Bible

LoveisJoy — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:28:00 GMT

The Poisonwood Bible is much more than a story of a Southern minister taking his family to 1960s -era Congo to serve as missionaries. Author, Barbara Kingsolver, explores a myriad of subjects including religion, prejudice and pre-conceived notions, patriarchy and colonialism, nature, morality, mortality, survival, culture, and self-authenticity. I came away from this work of fiction with the sense that it was one of the most real stories I've ever read.

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...

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GuyanaFan says "One of my all time favorite books." about Poisonwood Bible

GuyanaFan — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:16:11 GMT

This book tells the story of a missionary family in Africa. Each chapter is from one family member's perspective. The diverse voices of the daughters and mother add real originality to this book. I read this book when I was living overseas. It delves into some of the challenges of living in another culture and tells the fascinating story of a colorful family....