What readers think of The Poisonwood Bible, plus links to write your own review.

so far i've liked the book, but it is not the best i've read...it is however a difficult book to read and anyone who could write like that deserves my appriecation

This book is for those who like to think. It's simple: if you don't like to think hard then don't read the book. If you're up for a book that will challenge what you believe, buy it. All in all, I enjoyed it; it is very well-written. I agree with Pat; Kingsolver is a master at expressing what she really wants to say while making you think hard.

plot is boring in terms of adventure and action. personalities are very well developed. rachel is the spoiled princess. leah is the adventurous tomboy. adah is the shrewd and observant cat. ruth may is the charming 5 year old. overall, the story is touching, accompanied with some humor, as you hear these four sisters talk about their time spent in the Belgian Congo.

I read the Poisonwood Bible in preparation in writing a book report, and I wished I had read it a lot sooner. This book I can totally appreciate and empatize with each and every one of the characters; even Nathan Price. This book goes within the core of the African Congo, it's Politics, Religious and ethnic diversities. I recommend this book for anyone who is tired of staying on the outside looking in and want to experience the Congo first hand---but beware.

I ENJOYED this book alot. It was different from anything I have ever read before. I enjoyed that each chapter had a different point of view. You really could connect each of the girls and the mother. Feel there pain, happiness and of course maddness. In other books you may not get that from that many characters.
I also enjoyed the history of the Congo as well. Sometimes I was a tad confused of all the different leaders and such but overall very well written and exciting to read.
Also happy to have had a finished endings many books don't end themselfs well.

A very good 400 pages. This was one of the few assigned novels that I have actually enjoyed, however, why did Kingsolver have to draw out the conclusion. It would have been much more effective if she hadn't.

At the beginning it was hard to get into, but after reading the last chapter and understanding how it all comes together, I realize what a masterpeice it is. Adah is also the most amazing character in any book I have ever read, but I am disappointed with the way she turned out.

I agree with Melissa; this book is excellent material for the AP English exam. I wish it had been appropriate to one of this year's essay questions.

The characters are well developed. The setting is vivid. The culture is fascinating. Each of these elements, however, functions most importantly as symbolism in Kingsolver's portrayal of imperialism and other issues surrounding cultural diversity. The themes suggested by the Price family's experiences are applicable to nearly any sort of conflict found in literature, making this a versatile book and wonderful fodder for discussion. I may be off base with this, but I would venture to say that if you liked Jonathan Livingston Seagull (or if you like allegory in general), you would enjoy this book. Readers who are strongly conservative, however, must take care to concentrate on Kingsolver's message and not misinterpret the means she utilizes to reach her end.

I'd love to hear what anyone else has to say. [email protected]

PS: Okay, so the second half moved a bit slowly (a la Lolita). I have a feeling that it may be more interesting to those readers who have a particular fondness for Leah, though.