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)

Reality of a world unknown

This was an eye opener about the a world many people lack knowing; what true poverty and oppression feels like, and how it shapes your life and beliefs system. The complexities of self-righteousness bound with religion and how these two things can lead to destruction. Left with a gaping wound of how a nation destroys its own for riches—very real and telling.

this author is incredible

the writer has an amazing way with words that few writers can pull off. it was not what I expected after reading 2 other of her novels but it was even better. incredible story, great characters and the plot went at a steady pace and left few holes. I wish there were different narrators for the characters though, it was hard to keep up when the points of view kept switching but all had the same old boring female voice.

Brilliant!

Beautifully written story about a family who travels to a foreign land to understand their lives, lose their God, find religion, and try to put perspective on the purpose of life, humanity, religion and politics. Deeply moving & insightful. Masterpiece!

Listened to the Audiobook. One of the rare combination of deeply personable characters, worldwide scope, beautifully written, incredibly insightful and meaningful with amazing narration!

A must listen!

This book has adventure

The Poisonwood Bible has great adventure, struggle, loss, humor, spirituality, and philosophy all rolled into one. It is one of my favorite books of all time.

A treasure

Just an amazing book, pulling back the curtain on the travesty of the removal of Lumumba from office on the Congo and the ways in which evangelicals missed the mark so widely in Africa— and, as always in Kingsolver’s books, a study on familial relationships. Don’t miss it!!

a fun and interesting book

My daughter and I just came back from a mission trip in Uganda. I can totally relate to the author's portrayal of the Africans and love hearing about the culture from the different family member's perspectives. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who is interested in other cultures and likes down to earth, sarcastic, funny writing.

I agree that it was hard to follow the transition from one character to another. But, it didn't ruin the story for me. I thought the narrator had a nice reading voice and I enjoyed listening. I've listened to about 100 audio books and this one has been added to my favorites list.

My favorites also include Infidel, Ladies #1 Detective Agency series, Sarah's Key, Pillars of the Earth, World Without End, Laughing Without An Accent and the sequel, Freddy and Fredericka, etc. I love these books.

Love love love Kingsolver

Where does The Poisonwood Bible rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's in the top ten.

If you could take any character from The Poisonwood Bible out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The crazy father

Any additional comments?

I prefer Barbara Kingsolver to narrate but this narrator did it justice

Extraordinary tale wrapped in African history

This an Interesting historical novel with a generous dose of philosophy and psychology nicely woven in.

magnificent and spellbinding

Where does The Poisonwood Bible rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the better ones for holding my attention and helping me to experience a range of emotions

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Poisonwood Bible?

I think the way the 4 daughters and the mother each had their own story to tell adds their unique personalities.

What does Dean Robertson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

At first I thought she read a bit too fast, but I loved her pronunciation and subtle changes in voice to identifywhich character was speaking. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed her reading.

If you could rename The Poisonwood Bible, what would you call it?

Never really thoght about renaming it. The title is interesting and unique.

Any additional comments?

Loved the book.

The Poisonwood Bible is a great read.

I ordered this book on impulse without knowing much about it. I was shocked that I had not heard of this book before. My uncle was in the African Congo as a minister about the same time. When I brought the book up at a family dinner I was the only one that hadn't read it years ago. I will read it a gain. My daughter is planning go into ministry in Africa soon. This book gives some personal context to the history we have been studying.