The Poisonwood Bible

By: Barbara Kingsolver

Narrated by: Dean Robertson

Length: 15 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

“A powerful new epic... [Kingsolver] has with infinitely steady hands worked the prickly threads of religion, politics, race, sin and redemption into a thing of terrible beauty.” - Los Angeles Times Book Review

The Poisonwood Bible is a story told by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce, evangelical Baptist who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. They carry with them everything they believe they will need from home, but soon find that all of it - from garden seeds to Scripture - is calamitously transformed on African soil. What follows is a suspenseful epic of one family’s tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction over the course of three decades in postcolonial Africa.

The novel is set against one of the most dramatic political chronicles of the twentieth century: the Congo's fight for independence from Belgium, the murder of its first elected prime minister, the CIA coup to install his replacement, and the insidious progress of a world economic order that robs the fledgling African nation of its autonomy. Taking its place alongside the classic works of postcolonial literature, this ambitious novel establishes Kingsolver as one of the most thoughtful and daring of modern writers.

©1998 by Barbara Kingsolver. (P)1998 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Haunting...A novel of character, a narrative shaped by keen-eyed women." (New York Times Book Review)

"Beautifully written....Kingsolver's tale of domestic tragedy is more than just a well-told yarn.. Played out against the bloody backdrop of political struggles in Congo that continue to this day, it is also particularly timely." (People)

"The book's sheer enjoyability is given depth by Kingsolver's insight and compassion for Congo, including its people, and their language and sayings." (Boston Globe)

Unexpectedly good

Started listening because I thought it was a different book but kept listening because it was good and I enjoyed it.

One of the best books I've ever read

I think I've listened to this book three or four times over the last 10 years and I love it more and more at every lesson. phenomenal story with characters that make you laugh and cry. Most of all, It makes one contemplate what colonialism did to so many places in the world... especially to beautiful Africa.

Outstanding!

I will be thinking about this book for a very long time. It’s value, to the world, will live on forever. So brilliant & relevant, at this very moment.

Interesting story but poor narration

I liked the story, but this book is poorly produced and narrated. The book has a single narrator who just reads the book rather than telling the story using voice inflections to differ the characters.

This book is told from the perspective of 4 women and would be better served by multiple narrators or a more talented one.

Audible should consider re-recording this book.

Incredible work!

One of the most phenomenal books I have ever read. Poignant, humorous, sensitive, sarcastic, intelligent, historical.

Fantastic story and reader

My sister talked about this book for years before I finally listened to it. I totally agree with her… it is incredible. Also, for me, I find myself very picky over the readers. I loved this readers voice, accent, and direct sort of ‘tell it like it is’ southern style. I am also southern so…. Now, like my sister, The Poisonwood Bible is also a favorite for me.

Compelling

I found this a fascinating heart wrenching story of the effects of colonialism and misunderstanding and how it plays out in the life of ordinary people.

A fascinating look into African culture and more.

I Love Barbara Kingsolver as an author. This book did not disappoint. I'm glad I listened on audible because the various languages would have slowed me down and discouraged me.
I didn't care for the narration. it felt like a fast furious reading, with very little difference between characters voices, other than the authors voice. This made the book feel a bit tedious and boring, making me sleepy too.

Held me captive!

My second reading of this novel, this time an auditory one. Dean Robertson does a fabulous job of becoming each character, in accent, personality, and tone. Her Rachel is hilarious! Hate that the novel ended and cried for the Price family and Africa.

The best novel I have read in a decade.

In the same league as Heart of Darkness, The Razor's Edge, and Catch-22. I cannot recommend this highly enough.