The Poisonwood Bible
Barbara Kingsolver
Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
Publication Date: 1998
Number of Pages: 546
Geographical Setting: Congo
Time Period: 1950s-80s
Plot Summary: A Southern Baptist family uproots from its life in Georgia to move to a small village
in the Belgian colony of Congo in 1960. Driven by an evangelical zeal, the father Nathan Price
aims to convert all the Congolese villagers to Christianity and baptize them, but finds a population
with little interest in Christianity, and even less interest in his fire and brimstone theology. Nathan’s
wife Orleanna and their four daughters must find a way to adapt to life in the village of Kilanga and
survive in the politically turbulent country. The women of the family are caught between the
increasingly dangerous political turmoil of a Congo seeking independence and the growing
madness of Nathan Price. This novel wrestles with themes of racism and colonialism, with
interfamilial and spiritual relationships, and with the meaning of home.
in the Belgian colony of Congo in 1960. Driven by an evangelical zeal, the father Nathan Price
aims to convert all the Congolese villagers to Christianity and baptize them, but finds a population
with little interest in Christianity, and even less interest in his fire and brimstone theology. Nathan’s
wife Orleanna and their four daughters must find a way to adapt to life in the village of Kilanga and
survive in the politically turbulent country. The women of the family are caught between the
increasingly dangerous political turmoil of a Congo seeking independence and the growing
madness of Nathan Price. This novel wrestles with themes of racism and colonialism, with
interfamilial and spiritual relationships, and with the meaning of home.
Subject Headings: Congo, Patrice Lumumba, Colonialism, Family Chronicle
Appeal:
- Pacing: leisurely
- Tone: atmospheric, foreboding
- Writing style: lush, descriptive
Read-a-likes:
Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris - A historical novel centered around the life of a French woman, told in two time periods: part of the book is set when the woman is a child, the
other when she is elderly. Jumping backward and forward in time, the book explores the reality
of pre- and post-war France while inching ever closer to revealing the terrible secret at the heart
of the main character’s life. The story is lavishly described and has a strong focus on food and
other sensory details of place.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe - A novel set in Nigeria that explores life before and after
colonial rule. The story explores the cultural shifts that occur when sudden change leaves one’s
homeland permanently different. While focusing on similar themes that The Poisonwood Bible does,
this novel approaches the topic from the point of view of the colonized, rather then the colonizer.
colonial rule. The story explores the cultural shifts that occur when sudden change leaves one’s
homeland permanently different. While focusing on similar themes that The Poisonwood Bible does,
this novel approaches the topic from the point of view of the colonized, rather then the colonizer.
White Teeth by Zadie Smith - Set in modern day England, this novel explores the lives of an
Englishman and an Indian immigrant. The two characters remember pivotal events from their
lives, from World War II onward. This novel also explores the effects of British colonialism on
both colonies and England itself. It is less focused on the history of colonialism than The
Poisonwood Bible, and chooses instead to explore its modern implications.
Englishman and an Indian immigrant. The two characters remember pivotal events from their
lives, from World War II onward. This novel also explores the effects of British colonialism on
both colonies and England itself. It is less focused on the history of colonialism than The
Poisonwood Bible, and chooses instead to explore its modern implications.
Related authors:
- Joanne Harris
- Alice Walker
- Anne Tyler
Hi Sam, This book has been on my list for years, but I never seem to make the time to dive in. The leisurely pace and descriptive writing somehow does me in. I have read Things Fall Apart and find it to be fascinating. I sounds like The Poisonwood Bible would be a fascinating, educative story if I can find time to dedicate to it!
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to read this for ages and I just saw that it might get it's own movie (or series). Great job on your summary and readalikes. Full points!
ReplyDelete