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Original poster

The Poisonwood Bible. Like, wow. (Spoilers)

29 replies

TheLovelyBoots · 10/11/2014 13:07

I'm about 3/4 of the way through. I just read the part where Ruth May dies on the tube ride home and was sobbing in the corner, what an embarrassment.

I think this is possibly the best book I have ever read - Orleana's chapters are particularly haunting when she talks about the strength it took her not to walk out every day.

Does Nathan ever narrate a chapter?

Did you love it?

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Original poster
TheLovelyBoots · 13/11/2014 19:06

I don't know, I haven't even decided yet. I really loved the Rachel chapters towards the end, and I was pretty overwhelmed by the poignancy of Orleana's grief all those years later. I thought Adah was pretty underdeveloped.

All things considered, it would have been nice to know more about re-assimilating into life back in the US.

But my thoughts on the end are still forming, I finished it only yesterday.

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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 13/11/2014 18:10

What did you make of the ending?

I'm sure she must've spent time there.

Original poster
TheLovelyBoots · 13/11/2014 08:36

Did she not even live in the Congo? Because that would really shock me - I just assumed she did.

The way she talks about the smells made me certain of it.

I love the way Orleana always went to the sea and faced Africa (sob)

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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 13/11/2014 07:05

I asked if it was based on experience and she said no not at all, which I find amazing as the characters were SO real.

Original poster
TheLovelyBoots · 13/11/2014 04:55

PWB done.

Dame, what was your question to BA? How amazing.

I'm pretty sad that I've discovered her after what seems to have been 2013 whistle-stop tour? I would have loved to go to one of her talks, there were a couple in London.

I've now picked up My Antonia which I left half-way before PWB. It's good, but I'm still in that mourning period.

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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 12/11/2014 17:42

One of my favourite books, I've read and re read it umpteen times and every time discover something new in it.

She did a question and answer thingy on here a while back, she answered one of my questions,I was SO thrilledGrin

Original poster
TheLovelyBoots · 12/11/2014 09:18

I'm nearly done, just a few percent more Sad. I'll move onto Prodigal Summer next.

I'm already suffering book hangover.

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TanteRose · 12/11/2014 09:09

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle was fabulous

treaclesoda · 12/11/2014 07:58

I read a non fiction Barbara Kingsolver book a few years ago that was excellent as well. I think it was called something like a Year Of Eating Locally, although I may be wrong about that. It was basically about her family doing an experiment of only eating food that could be produced within a 30 mile radius of their home, as a way of studying the wider issues associated with modern food production, food miles etc. Was very interesting.

skolastica · 12/11/2014 06:45

I read The Bean Trees and Pigs in Heaven many years ago - loved them both. I've been a fan of Barbara Kingsolver since then.

Prodigal Summer is another good one.

Many writers write just because they can write and it's like eating too much stodgy food whilst BK weaves a powerful bit of herself into every book. To me this is what marks her out as a writer who will stand the test of time.

Original poster
TheLovelyBoots · 12/11/2014 06:21

Someone else who thought Ruth didn't die on the tube, surely?

I really made a mess of that one didn't I?

alemci I haven't read Flight Behavior but I'm pretty sure that's it.

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alemci · 11/11/2014 21:37

yes i was impressed. forgotten alot of it.

read a book about butterflies in Virginia recently. that may have been her?

Poofus · 11/11/2014 21:36

I absolutely loved this book. Didn't enjoy Lacuna though and am not enjoying Flight Behaviour too much either.

MiddleAgeMiddleEngland · 11/11/2014 21:31

Someone else who thought Ruth didn't die on the tube, surely? Blush

The only one of BK's I've read is The Poisonwood Bible. I enjoyed it, but not enough to rush out and get any more. I did like the different narrators though.

A friend was raving over Flight Behaviour recently and is going to lend me her copy so I'll maybe give it a go.

Bolshybookworm · 11/11/2014 18:22

I didn't like it quite as much, but then I absolutely LOVED the Poisonwood bible. Still very good though, beautiful imagery again.

Original poster
TheLovelyBoots · 11/11/2014 09:32

How does Flight Behavior compare to PWB? i.e. is it as good?

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Bolshybookworm · 11/11/2014 06:58

Such a beautifully written book, this thread is making me want to read it again.

I recently read two of her other books- Flight Behaviour and the Lacuna. Both were excellent, her writing is just wonderful.

TanteRose · 11/11/2014 06:54

loved this book...read it ages ago, and I read your OP and for one brief second thought "eh, Ruth May died on a tube ride home??" Grin

must reread...

my fave Barbara Kingsolver has to be The Bean Trees - love it

skolastica · 11/11/2014 06:51

Yes, in Congo-Brazzaville though, not the Democratic Republic.

Original poster
TheLovelyBoots · 11/11/2014 06:49

skolastica are you actually in the Congo at the moment?

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Original poster
TheLovelyBoots · 11/11/2014 06:48

I love the round-robin narrators - she does it beautifully. I love it in general, though.

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differentisstillnormal · 11/11/2014 06:05

My favourite book
I could probably read it again as its years since I read it

skolastica · 11/11/2014 06:04

I've just re-read it - am currently in that part of Africa as my daughter and her boyfriend have been living here for the past year and I'm on a visit.

The bit that really grabbed me this time is the political commentary in the second half of the book - American involvement to destabilise the country. How that passed me by on first reading, I don't know.

Loved the voices of the four girls.

Original poster
TheLovelyBoots · 10/11/2014 13:18

I can't understand why Orleana didn't call her father and beg for his help with Ruth May fell ill, or when the drought arrived, or the ants (!) and then finally, the green mamba. Is he still around? He's an eye doctor?

That's about as far as I've gotten.

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treaclesoda · 10/11/2014 13:17

I loved it too, I thought it was very powerful but also it was a really good story, so different to anything else I'd ever read.