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)

Beautiful story and performance alike.

Listening to Kingsolver read her own work gave an already beautiful story a depth I don’t know that I could have sensed had I read it on my own. Beautifully worded, yet well grounded- this book is a gift to all.

Gifted Use of Narrative

Very amusing use of narration for the characters. Gifted writer. I enjoyed the Congo history/setting thread of the story. Kind of a tragic story for the characters involved, depressing. The colorful narrative of the author and the Congo backdrop made it tolerable. I liked the narration and in fact listened to most of it at 1.5x and some at 1.3x.

Lovely book, DULL narrator

With a more enthusiastic narrator, this book would be a quite enjoyable listen. It is very well written.

A Must Read For All

Any additional comments?

Barbara Kingsolver weaved a wonderful story with something that intrigues everyone. If you can suffer the narrator long enough, the writing will pull you in to a point where the narrator no longer matters. The 40 year journey and growth of the Price ladies in the Congo is amazing, beautiful and tragic.

Touchingly wonderful Story

fantastic narration with different character perspective. fictional story that followed true historical events and places. it makes you rethink why you're here and what your purpose may be. also tries to help you see the world from outside of our bubble from the perspective of 4 little girls as they grow up in Africa and a mother who feels trapped in her life.

Just beautiful

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

After having read this book a handful of times over the past few years, I was thrilled to be so enthralled with the audio version. Rachel, Adah, Leah and Ruth May come alive in amazing characters that draw you in, until the last line.

Stunning

I listened to this almost without stopping. Narrator was amazing. So perfectly characterized each voice. I am in awe of Kingsolver. How she captured life as expatriates in Zaire/Congo. My words are so inadequate next to her eloquence.

Loved everything about this book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. It was a great story with a little bit of history and a little bit of perspective from both sides of the Congo mission situation.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The best characters were the daughters. The stories told through them were each different and because they were depicted as children, the stories were unedited in a way, as a lot of children's thoughts are. I would have liked more of a strong perspective from the mother in the story.

Which character – as performed by Dean Robertson – was your favorite?

The littlest daughter! So cute and honest.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when there were deaths in the family and when the sisters came back together in the states.

Terrific Read

A most unusual, enlightening, and riveting story about culture differences and religion. It may cause you to think and feel differently. It did me.

Read this book!

If you could sum up The Poisonwood Bible in three words, what would they be?

Sensational Multiple POV

What other book might you compare The Poisonwood Bible to and why?

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. Intimate, close narration that treats the reader to the inner lives and the thoughts rarely shared of five extra ordinary women. Plus the history of the Congo and a compelling story.

Who was the most memorable character of The Poisonwood Bible and why?

Leah Price - strong willed, defies convention and societal norms, passionate, and dynamic.