The Poisonwood Bible

 

Contributed by Ida, gr. 12, Jan. 2019

The Poisonwood Bible is historical fiction that connects to 1960’s colonialism and the Congo’s fight for Independence from Belgium. It is the story of a Baptist missionary named Nathan who takes his family for a one year mission in Kilanga village in Congo, Africa. The story is narrated by Orleanna, his wife, and their four daughters, Rachel, the twins Leah and Adah, and the youngest one, Ruth May. Upon their arrival to Africa, they face some obstacles: cultural differences and prejudices against their skin color.

 I enjoyed looking at the different points of view from the five narrators. The book portrays the different personalities, thoughts and feelings of each character. The reader is shown a piece of the African culture and allowed to experience a variety of adventures. The characters will take you through their laughs and tears, tell you their secrets and insecurities and share with you their tragic and joyful moments. You will also be able to watch the characters grow and change throughout the years.

 I found this book relatable to some of my own life experiences, and I was able to connect with some of the characters as well. I would recommend this book to more mature audiences as it deals with themes such as religion, colonialism, and politics. If you want to explore another country, ignite your imagination, and feel part of the experiences of these characters ,then flip through its remarkable pages.