Barbara Kingsolver - The Poisonwood Bible

Pros: Serious treatment of cultural bias, strong environmental themes

Cons: none

The Bottom Line: Kingsolver's most ambitious work to date is an exploration of cultural biases and the strengths of women and the environment, featuring beautifully painted settings and strongly developed characters.

Review: Nathan Price has lofty ideals in The Poisonwood Bible. Barabara Kingsolver's multifaceted 1999 novel weaves together themes explored in Alcott's Little Women, Conrad's Heart of Darkness, and Burdick & Lederer's The Ugly...

Pros: engrossing, well written, clear visual writing.

Cons: there are scarey moments.

The Bottom Line: Through someone elses eyes you can have a chance to see how missionary and political aid have on cultures which don't necessarily want t hem.

Review: This book review is part of the “This Book Has Changed My Life” Write off. Please see the end of this review for the list of participants.

It has been a long time since I have last written. I took an on-line graduate computer course and...

Pros: Multiple perspectives give a touch of authenticity.

Cons: The history Kingsolver depicts is more or less accurate.

The Bottom Line: An excellent, well-crafted story I wholehearted recommend the Poisonwood Bible!

Review: Barbara Kingsolver has created a masterpiece of historical fiction, using multiple voices to tell her story, Kingsolver draws the reader in and inspires emotions, for me the primary one was anger, in her readers. The story she tells is of the Price...

Pros: Exquisite imagery and language. Forceful plot. Highly intriguing characters

Cons: a tad long. Kept me up all night reading.

The Bottom Line: A glorious work of art!

Review: It has been a long time since a book has been good enough to keep me up all night reading. I hold The Poisonwood Bible in high esteem for this reason and many others.

"You know, you need to read Barbara Kingsolver. I think you'd like...

Pros: Vivid prose, well-researched content, and firmly held opinions

Cons: Political and religious views may offend some readers

The Bottom Line: Regardless of whether one accepts the validity of Barbara Kingsolver's views, The Poisonwood Bible opens a compelling window on the Congo, its people, and its culture.

Review: Set alternately in the Congo and the United States during the mid-to-late 20th century, Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible is a stirring indictment of cultural and political imperialism. Speaking with the voices of the five women of the...

Pros: Wonderful, vivid details, Easy to read and understand difficult subjects

Cons: Absolutely NONE

Review: Barbara Kingsolver has earned a place on my all-time favorite writers list. I have read a few of her works including; The Bean Trees, Pigs in Heaven, Animal Dreams and now The Poisonwood Bible. She never ceases to amaze me...

Pros: Packed with information and story.

Cons: None.

The Bottom Line: Wonderful historical novel with a definite political viewpoint. Want to read it again soon.

Review: Gee, what could go wrong here? In “The Poisonwood Bible,” a white American Baptist preacher decides he would make a terrific missionary to the poor, ignorant people of Africa and drags his family along. That he is far more ignorant of the world or ...

Pros: Absorbing, thought provoking, expresses different truths.

Cons: None

Review: I just finished Barbara Kingsolver's recent novel. It called forth in me a soul examination of our civilization. Her story took place in Equatorial Africa, the Congo, in the 1950's. A Southern Baptist preacher, a redhead from Georgia, took his wife...

Pros: Spellbinding drama, dynamic characters, accurate depiction of history

Cons: Symbolism, while poignant, may be tough to understand at times.

The Bottom Line: I would gladly have paid full-price for this book and loved every heart-rendering page of it. It's a challenging read, but so worthwhile.

Review: In an odd move for me, I did not run out and buy this book as soon as Oprah announced it as her summer read of choice. At the time, I was hip-deep in mandatory college reading and had no leisure time for pleasure reading. It was years later, when I ...

Pros: Missionary work in deepest Africa, giving the reader a realization of right or wrong.

Cons: Difficult and tragic scenes, very realistically depicted. Not for children!

The Bottom Line: The Poisonwood Tree is a tragic family saga, providing the reader with a deep insight into what their life must have been. Each character is wonderfully described by the author.

Review: Missionary life on a horrifying mission!

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, is a tremendous book. It is a must read for all who care about humanity, tradition and respect.
Ms. Kingsolver wrote an extremely powerful book. The...