The Poisonwood Bible
2 journalers for this copy...
While at the BCinDC holiday party yesterday, a man walked up to us and told us about the Back Porch Thrift Store two doors down, where paperbacks are sold eight for a dollar. This is one of the books I bought during that pilgrimage. I read another copy a few years back and this is what I had to say then:
I bought this knowing absolutely nothing about it except that a lot of people really liked it. Sometimes that’s the best way for me to approach a book. After all, if someone had told me it was about a Baptist preacher and his family doing missionary work in the Congo (now Zaire) in 1960, I probably would have passed it by. I’m glad I didn’t, though, because it’s is so much more than that. Told in alternating narratives between the preacher’s wife and their four daughters – snooty Rachel, overeager Leah, cynical Adah, and brutally honest Ruth May – the story unfolds to reveal their individual perceptions and prejudices. Though there is some political discussion (the history of that area is pretty turbulent in places). it is presented in such a way that it comes across as the opinions of the characters, as opposed to leaving the reader feeling badgered by the author. Likewise with the frequent thoughts on religion. In short, this is an extremely well-written and engrossing story and I look forward to reading more by Kingsolver in the future.
Registered in Centreville, Virginia, USA.
I bought this knowing absolutely nothing about it except that a lot of people really liked it. Sometimes that’s the best way for me to approach a book. After all, if someone had told me it was about a Baptist preacher and his family doing missionary work in the Congo (now Zaire) in 1960, I probably would have passed it by. I’m glad I didn’t, though, because it’s is so much more than that. Told in alternating narratives between the preacher’s wife and their four daughters – snooty Rachel, overeager Leah, cynical Adah, and brutally honest Ruth May – the story unfolds to reveal their individual perceptions and prejudices. Though there is some political discussion (the history of that area is pretty turbulent in places). it is presented in such a way that it comes across as the opinions of the characters, as opposed to leaving the reader feeling badgered by the author. Likewise with the frequent thoughts on religion. In short, this is an extremely well-written and engrossing story and I look forward to reading more by Kingsolver in the future.
Registered in Centreville, Virginia, USA.
Journal Entry 2 by Melydia at Great Falls National Park in Great Falls, Virginia USA on Sunday, January 8, 2012
Released 12 yrs ago (1/8/2012 UTC) at Great Falls National Park in Great Falls, Virginia USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Left on a picnic table.
A friend gave this to me after they found it at Great Falls National Park, and it took me a little while to read it. I'm glad I did. This isn't the type of book I normally read, since it's about a Baptist minister who's a missionary and his family. I'm not into the whole missionary, converting people idea.
But I was surprised. This definitely doesn't come across as an opinionated book, it's not preachy, and the author avoids falling into the trap of using his characters to force his views down the reader's throat. It's a very well written book and it's obvious the author put a lot of thought into his characters. It's more a look at life through the missionary's kids. It's brutally honest at times. I hope whoever finds it next decides to read it. I'm taking it with me to Ann Arbor next week to set it free in a coffee shop.
But I was surprised. This definitely doesn't come across as an opinionated book, it's not preachy, and the author avoids falling into the trap of using his characters to force his views down the reader's throat. It's a very well written book and it's obvious the author put a lot of thought into his characters. It's more a look at life through the missionary's kids. It's brutally honest at times. I hope whoever finds it next decides to read it. I'm taking it with me to Ann Arbor next week to set it free in a coffee shop.
Journal Entry 4 by Ravensnestblog at Zocalo Coffee in Bozeman, Montana USA on Thursday, December 26, 2013
It made it a little further than Ann Arbor after all. Left it on the community book exchange shelf, after having some real good coffee! It was a good book, I hope whoever reads it enjoys it.