The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

I’ve recommended The Poisonwood Bible to multiple people. It explores a variety of themes, both personal and political, that remain relevant today and likely always will because they’re rooted in human nature.

The novel opens with the Price family setting off for the African Congo, planning to spread Christianity. Upon arrival, they quickly confront the reality of the harsh environment, which clashes with their prior expectations. Nathan, a devout and zealous evangelical, is determined to convert the locals, but his rigid beliefs and cultural ignorance create tension with the villagers. Meanwhile, Orleanna begins to question their mission and the toll it’s taking on her family. As political unrest escalates, the family faces both internal and external struggles, and each daughter embarks on her own journey of personal growth while navigating the new environment.

The Poisonwood Bible is grounded in accurate historical context. In the late 1800s, King Leopold II of Belgium enslaved the local population to extract rubber and ivory. The country gained independence in 1960, but fearing the spread of communism, the United States supported an assassination of the prime minister and helped install a dictator, who appears in the novel. It’s into this complex environment that the Price family enters. 

Kingsolver uses the family to explore themes like freedom, imperialism, and religion. Many characters — both the Price women and the Congolese people — have limitations that prevent growth imposed on them by controlling, tyrannical entities. The family’s struggles highlight the inherent arrogance in assuming we know what others need, evident from the first pages when carefully packed supplies prove useless in their new environment.

Kingsolver’s writing is known for its rich, descriptive language, blending stories with social commentary. Her prose can be dense but it gives a thoughtful, reflective feel which matches the type of story she normally writes. Over 540 pages, The Poisonwood Bible is long enough to dive into the family’s experiences with plenty of space for Kingsolver to fill the story with vivid imagery of the Congo. I would not call it an “easy” read — between the length, the depth, and her sometimes complex language, it demands your attention — but it’s rewarding.

I really enjoyed The Poisonwood Bible and would rank it among my favorite historical fiction reads. I’m excited to explore more of Kingsolver’s work; I have Demon Copperhead on my shelf and am waiting for the right time to read it.