Pinterest tracking pixel
If you are having difficulty navigating this website please contact us at member.services@bookofthemonth.com or 1-877-236-8540.
Oops! The page didn’t load right. Please refresh and try again.
All booksLiterary fictionThe Poisonwood Bible
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Literary fiction

The Poisonwood Bible

by Barbara Kingsolver

Quick take

Kingsolver’s masterpiece, a modern classic first published in 1998, is epic in scope and size.

Why I love it

Book of the Month

Maybe it’s her credential as a biologist that gives author Barbara Kingsolver a thrillingly unique perspective into the natural worlds her characters live in, even as she creates lively worlds in the interiors of their minds. Set in the Belgian Congo beginning in 1959, The Poisonwood Bible is Kingsolver’s masterpiece, a modern classic first published in 1998, epic in scope and size. It’s the story of a family of American Christian missionaries, a mother and four daughters led by a domineering father, who travel to preach the word of God to the Congolese natives. Once there, their preconceived notions are challenged, and their ideologies shatter, even as they learn of the darkness and beauty that exists outside of their prayer books.

Read less

Member thoughts

All (2084)
All (2084)
Love (1338)
Like (581)
Dislike (165)
2122 ratings
  • 63% Love
  • 27% Like
  • 8% Dislike
    Literary fiction
    • Transcendent Kingdom
    • Dominicana
    • What's Mine and Yours
    • Vladimir
    • Infinite Country
    • The Prophets
    • Normal People
    • True Biz
    • The Verifiers
    • Betty
    • Salvage the Bones
    • Ask Again, Yes
    • Black Buck
    • The History of Love
    • Luster
    • The Remains of the Day
    • The Secret History
    • The Kite Runner
    • Memorial
    • The Gifted School
    • The Death of Vivek Oji
    • Valentine
    • Leave the World Behind
    • The Knockout Queen
    • Yerba Buena
    • Free Food for Millionaires
    • A Burning
    • Writers & Lovers
    • The Mothers
    • The Water Dancer
    • Sing, Unburied, Sing
    • Small Country
    • The Sympathizer
    • Fleishman Is in Trouble
    • Lot
    • An American Marriage
    • The Animators
    • The Leavers
    • Swing Time
    • The Mars Room
    • Exit West
    • The Windfall
    • Goodbye, Vitamin
    • White Fur
    • Chemistry
    • Woman No. 17
    • The Ministry of Utmost Happiness
    • Eat Only When You're Hungry
    • Rainbirds
    • Unsheltered
    • A Ladder to the Sky
    • Golden Child
    • Lost and Wanted
    • The Goldfinch
    • Little Women
    • The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P
    • & Sons
    • The Association of Small Bombs
    • Lolly Willowes
    • All Grown Up
    • Marlena
    • The Light Pirate
    • Signal Fires
    • Someday, Maybe
    • The Many Daughters of Afong Moy
    • Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
    • Woman of Light
    • Mercury Pictures Presents
    • Marrying the Ketchups