The Poisonwood Bible

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Nathan Price drags his wife and four daughters to the Congo to preach to the natives. Unfortunately, he fits the 'worst of the missionaries' list hands down. He doesn't know how to relate to his family, much less natives. The story concerns the effect this move has on his wife and daughters. Each responds to the Congo in a different way. Two of the daughters stay in Africa and their personalities couldn't be more different.

I felt like Africa was a crucible for the family and each responded in a different way, showing what they were made of. As I try to write this review, I also find myself thinking of and old grindstone wheel that my grandfather had. The grindstone of Africa peels away layer after layer in the family and reveals the metal underneath.


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