The Poisonwood Bible in Classics Without All the Class

Jul 19, 2009 Gaijinmama rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, bees

This is an amazing story. Fiction with a bibliography, what's not to love! A Southern preacher with a major Messiah-complex drags his family to Africa in the late 1950's. His 4 daughters and their mother tell their story, and the sections each one narrates are told in her unique "voice" . I always admire how a gifted writer can speak in a completely different way for different characters, similar to the way a talented actor is completely different in each role. I also love that this book focuses ...more

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Dec 30, 2008 Katherine rated it it was ok

Shelves: wow-book-club-reads, africa-book-reads

I had heard so much about Barbara Kingsolver that I'm really glad that I finally picked up her book The Poisonwood Bible and I was quite fascinated with it. The stories of these daughters and their experience in Congo was so enriching and different from each other that helped the reader to really get to know each character. The writing was such a delight - very easy read yet not lacking in details and I truly appreciate the details of Congo history, Patrice Lumumba, Mobutu as well as Angola's hi ...more

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Mar 15, 2012 Lois rated it it was ok

I read parts of this again in November 2011. I'm not really certain of the original date that I read it. I did enjoy revisiting it and got more out of it. It was a wonderful book to discuss in a book group. ...more

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Apr 22, 2007 A rated it really liked it

a long book that at first i didn't think was worth all the hype. but after i completed the book, the story lingered with me. i felt inspired by the way kingsolver captured each of the girl's voices (which prompted me to try first person in my own writing) and i've considered africa differently. it's probably the reason why i picked up mating, which is set in botswana. ...more

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