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)

Thought Provoking and Entertaining

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

Enlightening, Entertaining, Complex

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

Kisses from Katie or Little Bee, but better than both in style, information and skill of writer.

Which scene was your favorite?

Scenes abound, but the story told by the daughter Ava was just brilliant. The authors ability to differentiate personality and voice in the storytelling of different characters was very clever. The literary ingenious of this particular character made me want to rewind and re-listen to her story especially

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I enjoyed swallowing the story in chapter sized bites.

Any additional comments?

This work was obviously born in the heart of the author to expose a western perspective on Africa that needs improvement. The variety of personalities telling the story helps to see the situation from different points of view which help to understand the whole picture from a broader perspective due to the contrast.

Mother and Daughters

I was fascinated by this book from beginning to end. I have read it once and listened to it 3 times - Dean Robertson's reading is superb!

Great Listening.

What made the experience of listening to The Poisonwood Bible the most enjoyable?

Although I've finished listening to the Poisonwood Bible, I find myself replaying chapters each night. Instead of watching television or movies, I replay TPB over and over. Yes, I have many other books to listen to, I'm having difficulty detaching myself from TPB's characters. The Price sisters, their individual and collective stories, were interesting and involving. Often times, while listening to the novel, I imagined myself there in the Congo, living with the characters and sharing their exploits. TPB is a historically factual and accurate body of art.

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

When one of the Price girls dies, I felt such sorrow and grief. Her death was unexpected. I felt empathy toward their mom. I learned to dislike their dad, the stoic, cold, bible verse spouting Pastor Price.

Have you listened to any of Dean Robertson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first listen to a Dean Robertson performance. DR's narration has a lot to do with this book's enjoyment; it is lively, humorous, thought evoking, full of intonation and draws you into the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

To be honest, I thought this was a true "Bible," not a novel. I happened on it quite unexpectedly. But I'm so glad that I did. I didn't want to finish TPB quickly. A good book takes time to absorb and digest. I found myself researching historical and geographical facts relating to the story.

Any additional comments?

Barbara Kingsolver made me re-evaluate whether I have genuine talent to pen stories and novels. Her work was well researched and not page after page of jibberish and corn. I realize now, how a good book can convey emotions, entertain and inform without being salacious or stodgy. The Poisonwood Bible, in my opinion, is an example of writing at its best.

worth it

this tells a story of the Congo, of Africa, and life. I loved this novel. It is slow and deliberate and a true work of love.

OMG

Why have I not read this book before? It was incredible... the depth of the story... the emotion in every word... simply incredible.

made me cry in the end....

struggled to start it in the begining but after the first few chapters I fell in love and I couldn't put it down I finished it in two days and when it was finished I was crying partially because it was finished and because of the ending it was such a good book !!!!

Started slow, but turned out good

I enjoyed this book overall. It was a lot different than what I typically choose, which was actually nice. It started out slow, but I got into it towards the end. The narration was good, but really only had one voice for all the characters. It made it difficult to differentiate who was taking and the shift between the characters.

Now I know about the DRC

Excellent book, but I couldn't help thinking that it would be better with different voices for each girl and mother.

brilliant, insightful and profound.

There were parts of the book in which I wished I was reading the book rather than listening to it because the words are so beautiful and profound I wanted to ponder over them for more time.

Heartfelt

Beautifully written, will make you laugh, cry, and give you goosebumps PS of inspiration. I will forever view Africa in a different light - it's light, not the light me or my ancestors choose. Many thanks to the author who brilliantly paints the beauty of a people and their country for someone that will likely never get to see it for herself. BEAUTIFUL!