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)

10/10 would read again

Very transient, the book takes you on a long journey with a large scope, while maintaining the same themes and ideas in a truly artistic way.

better second time around

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

Educational, uplifting, inspiring

Who was your favorite character and why?

Oleana, the mother

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

I heard more than when I'd read it.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh and cry and understand what was going on during that time period when I wasn't paying attention.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend!!!

Kingsolver's Finest!

This was my very first encounter with the writing of Barbara Kingsolver when I read the newly released novel years ago. As far as I can tell, it is the only Kingsolver audiobook not read by the author. While my bet is that this was not an option at the time of this recording, using Dean Robertson was a magnificent move.

Listening now, as opposed to reading the same words years ago, I found delightful humor throughout this book. I laughed hard more than a few times, including once in the public bathroom of a local hospital while awaiting test results. The story is decidedly not funny, but the characters are, and as we hear their thoughts voiced so honestly throughout this ultimately tragic but triumphant tale, the humor is very much appreciated.

If you are on the fence, do it! Read it again! Hear Dean Robertson (a woman) bring life for American missionaries to the Congo to a compelling lesson for everyone. This is intense stuff, and well worth some late nights!

such a haunting story

Read this book when it first came out and was profoundly moved by it. Listening to it was equally jarring and so necessary

Excellent

Kingsolver's finest. Wonderful interplay between culture, family and history from a female perspective. My all time favorite book.

amazing !!

my favorite author didn't disappoint

I look forward to reading/ listening to the next book

A story that transports you

Loved the narrator with her accent. Really helped to put you in the story. I didn't dive right into this book, but after about the 3rd or 4th chapter I couldn't stop listening. Loved the history lesson along with the story.

Beautiful

This book deserved a reader with an accent that matches the content. Can't handle readers who don't speak soft Southern sounds when it fits, pronounce words authentically, who don't fit the narrative.

Thanks to Barbara for another book that challenges fixed predispositions and knows women and girls. Practical, clear, no nonsense writing, rare as hen's teeth.

Jan

The writing in this book amazes me. I enjoyed all the descriptions and since the author spent time in the Congo appears to be quite accurate.

Engrossing Read

I love reading stories that introduce me to other cultures and this one fits the bill. The characters are totally believable and the descriptions of their life in Africa - as seen through the various character's eyes - worked for me. Highly recommended.