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)

Worth it

It was a ling book with a lot of detail but the story was very good and worth it

Provoked strong emotions throughout the story

Good story but I felt cheated on the ending. Also, the narrator reads very fast in some areas which was irritating at first until I realized it was an expression of one character's personality. Definately worth the time.

Truly a wonderful read.

It's simply outstanding, just when you think you get where you're being taken, another layer is revealed. Pure pleasure to take in.

Poorly narrated, what a shame

read the book years ago and loved it.

I tried several times to listen but the narrator reads too quickly and with no emotion or character. I've listened to many poor narrators and grown to get used to some very bad ones, but this has got to be the worst.

Truly magnificent

hands down Barbara Kingsolver is a lyrical genius that turns seedling of words into beautiful petals of floral gardens o her pages. I am reading for the second time now. it is worth reading more than once to absorbing more. So many beautiful words to take in. t
The story line kept me not able to take a break. I loved this book!

Favorite book

I liked the narrator’s rendition of this book. This is my favorite book. So intense you can’t put it down. Detailed descriptions made me feel I was actually there. This turn mother’s heart became mine.

Value comes to life from mid-novel till end.

Listening to 1st half (due to imminent work in DRC) was a painful duty and prep, but the rest... all is paid back.

One of my favorite books

Enjoyed listening to the book, although I thought the voice didn't quite do the book justice.

I can never put this book down!!!

This is one of my favorite books!!! It transports me to the Congo!!! This is a must read!!!

Extraordinary

This is Barbara Kingsolver’s best book to date. It’s a masterpiece and deserves a Nobel prize.