5.96k reviews for:

The Poisonwood Bible

Barbara Kingsolver

4.15 AVERAGE

amandabarry95's review against another edition

4.75

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

euangepp's review against another edition

5.0

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One of the best books I’ve ever read. A more full review on Substack:
https://open.substack.com/pub/infleuancer/p/the-poisonwood-bible-a-review?r=2q4z5y&utm_medium=ios

jiprutten's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging emotional informative sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

bridgetdavis's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad 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: Complicated

kenzyk's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional informative medium-paced

jessicaread7's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

erin_esq's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This book is complex and engaging. I would need a re-read or two to fully discuss it. I also could use a history lesson the Congo to flesh out my understanding of the novel’s events.

I liked that it went a different direction that I anticipated. I became irritated with the father early on, and relieved when the characters began to feel simililarly. The mother’s backstory beautifully explained how the family ended up in this predicament. Overall, an entertaining read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, War

I couldn’t stand Ruth May’s narration, but her death was tragic. I was a bit confused as to why the section was added where Nelson gave her a means to escape to safety. I also couldn’t STAND rachel. I hated listening to her perspective as she became a vain, prejudiced, arrogant adult. I think this was important, however, to contrast the others. I also found the novel to drag in the last half. I fear the sisters’ stories could have been condensed and it would bear the same impact.

greystheology's review against another edition

5.0

emotional reflective 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: Yes

thealexk's review against another edition

3.25

adventurous emotional slow-paced

gclark152's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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