Book Review: Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

Kingsolver puts evangelism in its place in her 1998 best-seller, which follows a southern Georgia missionary family as they move to the village of Kilanga in the Congo in 1959.  The Price family's story is narrated by each of the five girls:  Orleanna, the mother, and her four daughters, Rachel, Adah, Leah and Ruth May, and their journey parallels the country's tumultuous emergence into the post-colonial era.

Following their father on his mission to change Africa, the family found themselves swallowed and forever transformed by the dark continent.  Rachel remembers, "from the very first moment I set foot in the Congo, I could see we were not in charge.  We got swept up with those people that took us to the church for all their half-naked dancing and goat meat with the hair still on, and I said to myself this little trip is going to be the ruin of the Price family as we know it.  And, boy, was it ever."

While Congo gained independence from Belgium, the little societal order that existed disintegrated, and the same was true for the Price family.  Each member adapted to their new existence differently, and what was formerly a life of sixteenth birthday parties and Sunday luncheons became a daily test of survival. Malaria, poisonous snakes, lions and hostile villagers became the norm, and you will judge Orleanna for bringing her family there and not leaving her husband.  Her apathy hardens, and tragedy eventually forces her into a life of  denial, guilt and regret.  "For women like me, it seems, it's not ours to take charge of beginnings and endings.  Not the marriage proposal, the summit conquered, the first shot fired, nor the last one either -- the treaty at Appomattox, the knife in the heart.  Let men write these stories.  I can't.  I only know the middle ground where we live our lives.  We whistle while Rome burns, or we scrub the floor, depending.  Don't dare presume there's shame in the lot of a woman who carries on."

High recommendation here!  The historic backdrop is welcome, following the US attempted assassination of Lumumba, Mobutu's following rise in power, and the Church Committee investigations of it all.  You'll never forgive Orleanna or her husband, the tragic disintegration of their family will break your heart, and Africa's heart of darkness will chill you to the bone.