The Poisonwood Bible is one of Barbara Kingsolver's great creations. Published in 1998, it selected as an Oprah book in 2000. Kingsolver fans usually have to wait a few years in between her novels, and this one was worth the wait. It's the story of Baptist missionary Nathan Price, who moves his family (wife and four daughters) from Georgia to the Belgian Congo (later Zaire). Nathan's insensitivity and cultural arrogance proves to be his downfall, as he makes no attempt to acclimate to his neighbors but expects them to acclimate to him and his church and his Jesus. The book, narrated from alternating perspectives of the mother and daughters, covers 30 years as the women seek to understand each other and the Africa that was such a big part of their lives. Kingsolver is such a wonderful story teller, but she also succeeds in making her readers aware of the "bigger picture" of social issues. Reading The Poisonwood Bible is like being entertained and educated at the same time. It broadens your horizons of the world. This book will be discussed at the Delphi Public Library Book Club at 9 a.m. on Friday, October 26.
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