The Poisonwood Bible

By: Barbara Kingsolver

Narrated by: Dean Robertson

“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)

One of my favorite fiction books

Parts of this book were so beautifully written that I had to listen to them repeatedly. Couple this with the research on Africa and the rich characters and you have a fantastic book.

Ignore the Naysayers! This is a Wonderful Story!

I have to confess that I almost didn't spring for this book because of the reviews denouncing the narrator. I am so glad I didn't listen to them (although I did wait to buy it on sale just in case they were right!)

The narrator is just about perfect for this story. She provides the perfect inflection and pace, including using varying levels of cynicism and cockiness, in the five voices of the main characters. (I especially loved how the author included miss-pronounced and miss-chosen words in the narration just as would have been likely in the conversation of young girls.)

This is an amazing geo-political story that will make you think long and hard about the virtues of missionaries bringing "the light" to the Congo, and think even harder about how the US government involves itself in the politics of the world, often at the dire expense of the people in places such as the Congo.

At the core of this story is how a family, under the sadistic rule of a brutal, intolerant man, crumbles when facing adversity in the Congo. At the same time, it is a story of how each of the surviving women find the means to accept their pasts and live out their lives.

Kingsolver's writing is incredible and the narration poetic. This is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed and will likely listen to again.

A wonderfully entertaining saga

Barbara Kingsolver spins a fascinating tale of family life in the Congo as the country spirals into chaos. The novel has a wonderful sense of place - we can almost smell the jungle - and we come to know each character intimately. A gripping story, told with empathy and humor.

Unforgettable

It has been two weeks since I have finished Poisonwood Bible and my mind still hears the characters' voices. I can't forget it. I don't want to forget it. It is one of those books of a lifetime. Kingsolver is a magnificent author.

Excellent Book, excellent performance

What did you love best about The Poisonwood Bible?

The story. The first half had me laughing out loud, the second half was a good history lesson of what has taken place in Africa which was totally left out of my schooling

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

When Ada describes how everything in Africa happens for a reason and all worked well until they were colonized. How the ants got rid of the unwanted, people made what they needed from what was around them since travel was so difficult. What seems bad, in reality might actually be good.

Which scene was your favorite?

To many to pick.

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

I laughed during the first half and cried during the second at what was done to these countries.

Any additional comments?

The performer was excellent. Her inflection of voices was superb. You could see Rachel's eyes roll when she talked, even though it wasn't said, just like any teenager would do.

Hearing is believing...

..a family story. The narration, read a southern accent, entices the reader to travel into Africa where the continent and family membrs come together and part in heart rending ways.

A wonderful tale, beautifully told

An excellent story of family, religion, and global politics. Everything we touch is changed, and changes us.

Poor reader. What could've been..

The story was very solid. The vastly different perspectives portrayed required a more experienced reader willing to convey in her voice the voices of the very different people painted by the book.

Interesting but a little confusing

Narrator tells the story from the viewpoint of the 3 daughters of the missionary family. a bit confusing unless you know which daughter is telling the story. as the book progresses, this made clearer.

Great story but lacking in narration.

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

I would recommend this book to a friend because the characters are rich and unique from one another. I would suggest my friend read the book as the narration is nothing special and does not change between characters.

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

One of the many memorable moments of the story was when the village was over run with ants that were painful when they bit. The family scrambled to the river to catch a canoe and they were separated. The natives who were leery of the family, made room for the family on their boats/canoes.

What didn’t you like about Dean Robertson’s performance?

This book was read by a woman who I suspected to be Barbara Kingsolver. The narrator did not identify each character with their own voice.

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

When the mom finally had enough of her overbearing husband's self-righteous alienating pulpit chastising behavior and decided to pack up her remaining girls and leave the Congo.