Views, please, on the Poisonwood Bible

[TrulyMadBadandDeeply]

I am about 400 pages in but finding it a plod rather than a page-turner, if you see what I mean.

[dalek]

I loved it - it was the first book that I'd read about Africa s found it fascinating.

[Wheelybug]

I loved it but read it ages ago

[janeite]

I gave up on it: I thought it was awfully dull.

[Themasterandmargaritas]

I too read it years ago, when I first came to Africa. I couldn't put it down it was fascinating and depressing in equal amounts.

[taipo]

Read it ages ago too and loved it.

[MrsMuddle]

I read it years ago and loved it so much that I bought most of my friends a copy. I'd like to re-read it, because I can't remember much about it now.

But to answer your question, if it's not gripping you after 400 pages, just give up.

[TrulyMadBadandDeeply]

I intend to persevere. I was hoping that you would all inspire and motivate me - and you (nearly all) have!

[smittenkitten]

i loved it so much I read barbra kingsolver's other books, which are all fab. "the bean tree" and "pigs in heaven" are amazing.

[stubbyfingers]

I absolutely LOVED it - only book to make me cry. But, life's too short to persevere with books you're not enjoying. Reading is supposed to be pleasurable!

[TrulyMadBadandDeeply]

Don't get me wrong. I am enjoying it but in a fairly muted way, which wasn't what I expected from the book's reputation.

[Suedonim]

I read it years ago as well. My opinion is the same as TM&M's. If you're 400 pages in, TMBaD, you may as well finish it.

[ScummyMummy]

I definitely found it a page-turner. I was so gripped that I didn't think about it very critically and wondered later if it was worthy of such total absorbtion, iyswim.

[piscesmoon]

I loved it and went on to read her Prodigal Summer, very different but equally gripping.

[ClaraDeLaNoche]

I loved it up to the bit where the kids grew up (don't want to spoil story). I then got a bit bored after that. I liked some of the voices in it much more than others, think it was Ada I wasn't mad on. It got a bit heavy two thirds through. Stick with it, you may as well.

[mrsgboring]

Loved it and went on to read everything else by her. Agree with Clara that Ada's voice is a bit annoying, certainly at first.

[Scarletibis]

I loved it and thought it was v well written but like Clare says the 2nd half of the book doesn't really match the first.

[theyoungvisiter]

loved it - though found it the kind of book that coloured my mood quite darkly for the rest of the day

[dragonbutter]

I loved it, i got a bit stuck in the middle but persevered and thought it was fab.

[TrulyMadBadandDeeply]

Right! As soon as ER's finished I'm turning off the telly and going to read.