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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
I'm going to be honest. I've never looked at missionary work in this way, and it's eye-opening. Religion is sometimes taken as the hard truth, and sometimes it's taken with a few too many grains of salt. But in the midst of it, there is humanity. Life as we have created it and life as it was created.
The Poisonwood Bible tells of a preacher's family who has pulled up their roots to go and preach to the Belgian Congo. Throughout the story, each family member starts to see the Congo through their own eyes and not how it is portrayed on television or through their parents. They start to see the people, start to understand that they might not be the white saviors they thought they were.
The novel doesn't demonize religion, but it shows how we try to use it as an excuse to step foot in another's life and take over. Told through several viewpoints, the novel is at once eye-opening and heartbreaking, with a touch of romance. With lyrical writing that draws you in and announces each character as they begin to find their own way, the Poisonwood Bible is a journey into the human mind that questions just how different we really are.
The Poisonwood Bible tells of a preacher's family who has pulled up their roots to go and preach to the Belgian Congo. Throughout the story, each family member starts to see the Congo through their own eyes and not how it is portrayed on television or through their parents. They start to see the people, start to understand that they might not be the white saviors they thought they were.
The novel doesn't demonize religion, but it shows how we try to use it as an excuse to step foot in another's life and take over. Told through several viewpoints, the novel is at once eye-opening and heartbreaking, with a touch of romance. With lyrical writing that draws you in and announces each character as they begin to find their own way, the Poisonwood Bible is a journey into the human mind that questions just how different we really are.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Exceptional book; it wasn’t at all what I expected but was incredibly eye opening and beautifully written. It really makes you question your way of living and the biases you may hold unknowingly
Pioneer Book challenge: A book from the Great American Read
First book of the year! What a crazy story. As my friend who has traveled to Africa back in the 80s said, “its a book about what NOT to do as a missionary/humanitarian”
I felt bad for the mom and the girls. They all had to tip toe around the father and so didn’t seem to develop relationships with each other. I
The dad was maddening. His zealousness was so misplaced because he couldn’t forgive himself and as the scriptures says “knew not the dealings of God.” I guess we all do that to a certain extent. I was talking to my mom about the book and she said that one of my aunts had read it years ago and that it had really resonated with her own childhood. My grandpa was pretty zealous too (not nearly to the same level) but it deeply impacted his children and wife.
I appreciated the second half which takes you though the post-Africa years in their lives. It could have been more impactful if it had been shorter.
The narration style was really clever. Each voice called out different observations of their experience, depending on their age and personality. There were some beautiful passages and the writing was good.
I’d totally recommend it and would even reread parts of it. Though it is long.
First book of the year! What a crazy story. As my friend who has traveled to Africa back in the 80s said, “its a book about what NOT to do as a missionary/humanitarian”
I felt bad for the mom and the girls. They all had to tip toe around the father and so didn’t seem to develop relationships with each other. I
The dad was maddening. His zealousness was so misplaced because he couldn’t forgive himself and as the scriptures says “knew not the dealings of God.” I guess we all do that to a certain extent. I was talking to my mom about the book and she said that one of my aunts had read it years ago and that it had really resonated with her own childhood. My grandpa was pretty zealous too (not nearly to the same level) but it deeply impacted his children and wife.
I appreciated the second half which takes you though the post-Africa years in their lives. It could have been more impactful if it had been shorter.
The narration style was really clever. Each voice called out different observations of their experience, depending on their age and personality. There were some beautiful passages and the writing was good.
I’d totally recommend it and would even reread parts of it. Though it is long.
Phenomenal work. I would put it in the same category as The Brothers Karamazov. Each daughter's voice was so distinct. Never a dull moment in the book. It was gut-wrenching to learn about Ruth May's fate and it was satisfactory to learn about Adah's fate. Rachel was hilarious and Leah's character growth was inspirational. The mom chapters were wonderful too. I'm so glad I read this one, despite my initial hesitation. Barbara Kingsolver has one more fan now.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated