Book Review: The Poisonwood Bible

This book, by Barbara Kingsolver, has popped up on several blogger reading lists this Summer, I knew that I had to put it on mine. The thing that convinced me to finally pick it up and read it was my DS 1's friend, Leah who told me that this was her Mother's favorite book...and her "second favorite" behind Life of Pi. So I read both at Leah's (and her Mother's) suggestion.

I found The Poisonwood Bible a lot to swallow. It was not an "easy" read by any means. There were moments when I considered scrapping my reading, but pushed on. This book, although a narrative work of fiction, really is not linear it its storyline. There IS the linear storyline woven into the narration of the four daughters and wife of a fanatical Baptist missionary to the Congo. It is the story of the undoing of a family and their eventual reconstruction (according to the book jacket). Interspersed in the actual story are their thoughts, feelings, musings, and vignettes to explain to the reader, life in the Congo in the 1960's (and up through the 80's).

The Father, Nathan, is an arrogant man who never really gets to know the people in the area that he is serving. Thus, he never properly learns the language and yells from the pulpit: "Tata Jesus is Bangala," Though his intention is to tell the African people "Jesus is precious," his mispronunciation means "Jesus is poisonwood." Thus, the girls summize that his is the Poisonwood Bible.

It is a poignant story of faith gone awry...and yet, somehow remaining in each woman represented. Though each one handles her faith differently and in some cases, irreverently. It is also a reminder that when faith wanes or is tainted, the holes that are left must be filled with something...a cause, grace, forgiveness, bitterness, hurt, anger...something.

It is also a story of survival in the midst of some very grim circumstances. It reminds us that the oppressed CAN sometimes get away from the oppressor. It takes strength, yes. But it can be done.

I love the line spoken by Rachel, the eldest daughter who is quite self-absorbed, when she reflects on her life in Africa: "You can't just sashay into the jungle aiming to change it all over to the Christian style, without expecting it to change you right back." She goes on to note that it's not so different with those trying to set up business on this continent. She continues: "If it was as easy as they thought it was going to be, why, they'd be done by now, and Africa would look just like America with more palm trees."

And Adah, who is the twin of Leah, reminisces and wonders "what Bible my father wrote in Africa. We came in stamped with such errors we can never know which ones made a lasting impression."

While I didn't think it would, I DO think that Kingsolver's book has made a lasting impression on me for it caused me to once again look at the need that is so great in our world...and yet goes unmet each and every day. And we, who are wealthy and have much, try to fill needs with what WE think is "right". Yet, I think we sometimes miss the boat in doing this. It is critical that we get to know the people...listen to them...love them...and meet them where they are. For me, the bottom line is: I'm glad I "pushed" through.

Happy Reading!