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The Poisonwood Bible
by Barbara Kingsolver
by Barbara Kingsolver
People love this book, and I think I understand why. It's got a collection of strong characters, each chapter is written from a different character's point of view, and it's set in Africa, which is exciting. But there are a few reasons I don't think it's great literature.
The main things I expect from a good novel are: a) that the writer doesn't manipulate her characters for her agenda, b) that the characters' actions are consistent to the world the writer has created for them, c) good, tight prose, and d) the characters are nuanced and aren't entirely perfect or hideous. In this novel, the father character is entirely hideous and the mother and each daughter represent a plight of some kind. Their existence is to present arguments for and against lots of important issues in Africa, but for me that kind of thing is an extremely dissatisfying fiction experience.
I suppose there is an argument for fictionalizing reality in order to make it more palatable and invite a larger audience to your cause, but I don't think this novel is successful in that regard. I found it overly preachy, critical, and completely disrespectful to its characters, whom I believe deserve a better story in which to thrive.
The main things I expect from a good novel are: a) that the writer doesn't manipulate her characters for her agenda, b) that the characters' actions are consistent to the world the writer has created for them, c) good, tight prose, and d) the characters are nuanced and aren't entirely perfect or hideous. In this novel, the father character is entirely hideous and the mother and each daughter represent a plight of some kind. Their existence is to present arguments for and against lots of important issues in Africa, but for me that kind of thing is an extremely dissatisfying fiction experience.
I suppose there is an argument for fictionalizing reality in order to make it more palatable and invite a larger audience to your cause, but I don't think this novel is successful in that regard. I found it overly preachy, critical, and completely disrespectful to its characters, whom I believe deserve a better story in which to thrive.
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Danalee
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Mar 30, 2008 03:57pm
Man, I am so glad I read this comment a) before I read the book and b) after you read my NBCT essays! I love the way you think!
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Very harsh review. I think the characters were extremely complex and multidimensional. The illustration of their various perspectives and back stories gives you this. The prose exquisite and the use of fiction to explore political philosophy is absolutely justified and necessary.
I guess you have to be farther along than page 40 to think the dad is horrible b/c, so far, I don't think he's horrible. But I think the teenage daughter is more than a bit of a brat. She doesn't think they should "be so AFRICAN about" things they're doing? When Africa's where they are?I think I know now why certain people from other countries can't stand American visitors. We go to another country and expect THEM to act like US. That's baloney IMO.
Although the truth is hard to listen to sometimes I think that to tell the story of the Prices time in Africa without the politics of what has been done and continues to be done to Africans would be a disservice to us all.
Lissa wrote: "Although the truth is hard to listen to sometimes I think that to tell the story of the Prices time in Africa without the politics of what has been done and continues to be done to Africans would b..."I don't dismiss the idea of including politics, especially for something so important (like you said, Lissa). I just think Kingsolver does it very poorly.
It came from Oprah's book club. That should tell you enough. The writing starts off ok, then turns into a steamy pile of unbelievable and untrue B/S. It's sad really... the book was ok at first.
Melissa wrote: "It came from Oprah's book club. That should tell you enough. The writing starts off ok, then turns into a steamy pile of unbelievable and untrue B/S. It's sad really... the book was ok at first."
LOL, my book club buddy Alison would agree with you! She always says she'll know how much she'll hate a book if it's an Oprah one. And I agree with your assessment.
Alisa, your review sums up exactly what I find so tiring and irritating about many books and movies. It's amazing to me how many people just gobble up crap while thinking it was great. Thanks for your review!
I have only gotten to Book 4. I do agree that the character of the father is the typecast villain with no redeeming qualities at all. I wish Ms Kingsolver had described him on occasion as having perseverance (eg when he tried to plant a garden) rather than totally denying the possibility that the Congalese might have learned a thing or two throughout the centuries. I believe that Rachel is just as typecast as a totally self-absorbed young girl. But in Kingsolver's defense, I believe her prose is magnificent and her characters (ofher than the father) full of humor. My recollection is that when The Congo's independence was granted, the thirst for power by both Congalese and foreign powers resulted in a bloody upheaval of innocent people. So far, I think Kingsolver is challenging the reader to discriminate between God and humanity's tendency to judge God by looking at preachers, who, by definition, fall far short of divine. All people are capable of good and evil. Every other developed character besides the father displays acts of courage (Nelson) or generosity (the sharing of food by the community) or integrity (Anatole) or search for truth (all the women). I am hoping the rest of the book continues to challenge the reader and doesn't negate the validity of Christianity!
You are more generous than I about her prose in this novel, but I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. I do think she's capable of the nuance you describe, but the bad outweighed the good for me here.
I could never articulate exactly what annoys me about Oprah's favourite books, but a reviewer below has just put it perfectly into words.The authors that Oprah likes write exactly the way Oprah speaks.
