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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
This is the first book I’ve read with such a piercing look at evangelical Christians. The fierce father jack’s his daughters and wife to a life of loneliness, poverty, and fear. The complete disregard for the native customs and beliefs lead to a tragic death, remorse and longing. I despised the weak willed mother and wife who seemed confused and lethargic throughout the novel.
Everything Barbara Kingsolver writes is gorgeous. This one has been on my TBR for years and I want to go back and read it again. A breathtaking tale of the perils of colonialism, the hazards and hard truths of living on this earth, with the most poignant description and interpretation of a mother's grief that I've ever read. Everyone must read this book!!!
This was a slow read for me at first, but I really grew to enjoy this book.
I will always be drawn to a higher rating for a book that changes my perspective on the world, and teaches me actual history through human stories. I knew very little about the actual history of Congo, only that it was tumultuous and "bad." (Note that I'm using bad here as a reflection of my limited understanding and ignorance.) I certainly can't claim to fully understand the Congo and its people after reading this, as it is a very complex place, but I now understand the complexity that exists-- and the fault the US played in the conflicts and death there.
Also, Kingsolver writes about nature in a way that would make any biologist/ecologist/naturalist proud. She sees nature like only a person who is connected to it deeply can- and draws out the intricacies and revelations with wonder, but with fairness- nature is a force here, not a thing to conquer or be pacified.
I will always be drawn to a higher rating for a book that changes my perspective on the world, and teaches me actual history through human stories. I knew very little about the actual history of Congo, only that it was tumultuous and "bad." (Note that I'm using bad here as a reflection of my limited understanding and ignorance.) I certainly can't claim to fully understand the Congo and its people after reading this, as it is a very complex place, but I now understand the complexity that exists-- and the fault the US played in the conflicts and death there.
Also, Kingsolver writes about nature in a way that would make any biologist/ecologist/naturalist proud. She sees nature like only a person who is connected to it deeply can- and draws out the intricacies and revelations with wonder, but with fairness- nature is a force here, not a thing to conquer or be pacified.
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I tried to get through this book a couple of times previously without any success. Years have passed and I have it another try because I generally enjoy Kingsolver’s writing and because others have enjoyed and praised this book. I do not know what it is that people like about this book. The book goes on for way to long in all of its part and is disjointed. I’m also not interested in the religious aspect/missionary work and the whole time I couldn’t ignore how white and colonial the perspectives were of Africa (perhaps that is part of the point). There was one part where the plot seemed to pick up but it fell flat quickly again. The characters are all insufferable. Makes me second guess if I want to pick up Kingsolver’s newest (Demon Copperfield).
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There are Christians, and then there are Christians. This book does a remarkable job of describing the consequences of trying to impose a rigid doctrine upon others - both upon a foreign culture with its own customs, traditions, and mythologies, and upon one's own family. Nathan Price, a southern Baptist minister intent on converting and saving every soul in the expansive Congo, moves his wife and four daughters to the Congo for a stay that will change all their lives irrevocably. A decorated war veteran distinguished more by his ability to run from inevitable death than any real bravery, Nathan seeks to redeem himself in the eyes of God by showing fortitude and resolve in carrying out God's work in the Congo even in the face of imminent danger and political turmoil.
Kingsolver chooses to tell Nathan's story through the eyes and voices of his wife and daughters - through the women we gain a picture of the Reverend as deeply flawed, ironically egotistical (quick to condemn pride but self-righteous himself), and thoroughly misogynistic. The boldest daughter, Leah, tries desperately to win the respect of Nathan only to be denounced for trying to act like the son he always wanted. Each narrator has a unique and individual voice - they portray varying perspectives of a figure and a country that come into increasingly clear focus.
As chaos consumes the Congo, Nathan's pride and dogmatic rigidity slowly bring about the fury of the Price family's adopted village. Nathan's inability to adopt to village and linguistic custom - a translation error leads him to frequently declare that Jesus is poison - make many enemies among those in the village. Just as violence consumes the country - the novel is set astride profound geopolitical upheaval - the Price family is changed forever by a terrible accident wrought by Nathan's ability to make enemies.
The Price women are finally pushed to the brink, and following the tragtic and untimely death of a daughter, leave the village forever. Each woman's life remains forever linked to the tragedy in the jungle of the Congo, but their ability and strategy for coping with their loss is profoundly different. The women follow divergent paths - one remains rooted and linked to the Congolese political struggle forever, one turns her back on the Congo - though she never truly gets that far away - and one battles internal demons and must make peace with herself before making peace with the past.
The greatest flaw of the novel is the stark change in narrative voice as the daughters grow older. The self-centered and vain narration of Rachel yields to a bizarre and vapid diatribe befitting the likes of Heidi Montag - as parodied by comedic writers at The Awl. Rachel becomes horridly ditzy - a characteristic much more subtle when she was a young woman. Leah becomes self-righteous and weak, and Adah seems to manufacture internal conflict where in the past she had made peace. Only Orleanna and Ruth May feel consistent through the novel - in fact, Orleanna's narrative segues throughout the novel are among the most poetic and intimate moments in the book.
While the writing becomes a bit inconsistent late in the book, Kingsolver's novel about lives changed forever by the Congo is truly epic in scope - the disruption and dissolution of the Price family is told in a stunning manner, and one finishes the novel wishing only that such poetic justice had been done to its eventual redemption.
Kingsolver chooses to tell Nathan's story through the eyes and voices of his wife and daughters - through the women we gain a picture of the Reverend as deeply flawed, ironically egotistical (quick to condemn pride but self-righteous himself), and thoroughly misogynistic. The boldest daughter, Leah, tries desperately to win the respect of Nathan only to be denounced for trying to act like the son he always wanted. Each narrator has a unique and individual voice - they portray varying perspectives of a figure and a country that come into increasingly clear focus.
As chaos consumes the Congo, Nathan's pride and dogmatic rigidity slowly bring about the fury of the Price family's adopted village. Nathan's inability to adopt to village and linguistic custom - a translation error leads him to frequently declare that Jesus is poison - make many enemies among those in the village. Just as violence consumes the country - the novel is set astride profound geopolitical upheaval - the Price family is changed forever by a terrible accident wrought by Nathan's ability to make enemies.
The Price women are finally pushed to the brink, and following the tragtic and untimely death of a daughter, leave the village forever. Each woman's life remains forever linked to the tragedy in the jungle of the Congo, but their ability and strategy for coping with their loss is profoundly different. The women follow divergent paths - one remains rooted and linked to the Congolese political struggle forever, one turns her back on the Congo - though she never truly gets that far away - and one battles internal demons and must make peace with herself before making peace with the past.
The greatest flaw of the novel is the stark change in narrative voice as the daughters grow older. The self-centered and vain narration of Rachel yields to a bizarre and vapid diatribe befitting the likes of Heidi Montag - as parodied by comedic writers at The Awl. Rachel becomes horridly ditzy - a characteristic much more subtle when she was a young woman. Leah becomes self-righteous and weak, and Adah seems to manufacture internal conflict where in the past she had made peace. Only Orleanna and Ruth May feel consistent through the novel - in fact, Orleanna's narrative segues throughout the novel are among the most poetic and intimate moments in the book.
While the writing becomes a bit inconsistent late in the book, Kingsolver's novel about lives changed forever by the Congo is truly epic in scope - the disruption and dissolution of the Price family is told in a stunning manner, and one finishes the novel wishing only that such poetic justice had been done to its eventual redemption.
I've been a fan of Kingsolver since I picked up The Bean Trees as a teen. It touched me, deeply, and I can't wait to read it again. I'd put this one off for many years because it wasn't the kind of book I could carry around easily, but when it became available for Kindle via my local library, I decided it was time.
I lost my life for a few days, and some sleepless nights were made better by additional opportunity to return to it. It might be my favorite of all her books. Yes, it's my favorite of all her books.
In reading some of the reviews, I question what "agenda" people are proposing that Kingsolver presented? I don't see one (though I see some white fragility in response, absolutely). I see a fictional account of a very true story of African colonization, the proven detriment and lack of understanding of many "mission" attempts(witnessed firsthand), and I do not doubt the intelligence of children who, when given the opportunity (free to roam, free to think, free to learn at their own pace), are much smarter than many might assume.
This one has staying power, and I'm glad to see that it's made it into many teaching curriculums. There are incredibly important things to talk about in here and it was an incredible story.
I lost my life for a few days, and some sleepless nights were made better by additional opportunity to return to it. It might be my favorite of all her books. Yes, it's my favorite of all her books.
In reading some of the reviews, I question what "agenda" people are proposing that Kingsolver presented? I don't see one (though I see some white fragility in response, absolutely). I see a fictional account of a very true story of African colonization, the proven detriment and lack of understanding of many "mission" attempts(witnessed firsthand), and I do not doubt the intelligence of children who, when given the opportunity (free to roam, free to think, free to learn at their own pace), are much smarter than many might assume.
This one has staying power, and I'm glad to see that it's made it into many teaching curriculums. There are incredibly important things to talk about in here and it was an incredible story.
Amazing book, I'm embarrassed it took me this long to read it. A compelling story with an unforgettable group of characters. Only taking off one star because I thought some parts dragged and some metaphors were a little heavy-handed. Excited to read her entire bibliography tbh.
On one particularly rainy camping trip, I stole this book from my father's duffle bag. I proceeded to finish this book before two days were up. Given the thickness of this book, this should speak volumes to its contents. The novel encouraged you to keep reading, keep reading. The story was well constructed, a unique plot with familiar conflict we can all relate to. So why only 3 stars? It lacked something for me. It didn't affect me like my favorite books have done. I put the book down and then it was over, it didn't linger on in my mind. It was simply an enjoyable novel. Parts of the story were truly brilliant, but others parts- for lack of a better word- felt cheesy and contrived. It didn't always feel real.
What a sad story and it just never gets any better. Why do people love it so?