I read this book shortly
after reading Cloud Atlas (which I reviewed a few weeks ago), and, although the two books are
very different, there are a couple of surprising similarities. Cloud Atlas extends across continents and
centuries and The Poisonwood Bible is confined both in place
and time, but both books are told from the varying perspectives of the
different characters in the books. Also, while Cloud Atlas
leaves us with the understanding that life and death are intrinsically
woven into the same process, The Poisonwood Bible reminds
us that the Congolese word muntu does not just mean man
or people '... it means more than that. (...) there is no
special difference between living people, dead people, children not
yet born, and gods - these are all muntu...' And it becomes
apparent that, at least on that level, both books are saying much the
same thing.
I believe that the book
is about how we relate to the concept of God, but it is also about
Western greed and the total destruction of a society that, prior to
Western invasion functioned in its own unique fashion both
politically and spiritually. Unfortunately, a propensity for greed
has caused Western countries to destroy many communities and even
countries around the world, and the practice is still alive and well.
Seen through the eyes of
five woman - the wife and four daughters of the unbalanced, fictional, Baptist
missionary, Nathan Price - the Congo takes on five different
perspectives and different meanings. I listened to a very interesting BBC interview with Barbara Kingsolver where she explained that the
five women actually illustrate five different ways of relating to the
responsibility remaining after the traumatic and unnecessary
colonialization of Africa. As she said: the West has profited,
materially, through what happened in Africa, and, even though those
living today were not responsible for what happened, the
responsibility remains. In their responses to the situation, Rachel
represents those who manage to remain completely loyal to themselves,
Leah speaks for those who accept responsibility and try to make
amends, Adah is aware of the necessity of breaking the whole
situation down to its smallest common denominator, while May Ruth,
unlike many others, understands the spirituality of the Congo. It is,
I feel, through Ruth May, that the combined themes of religion and
political greed are finally connected.
Based almost completely
in the Congo, The Poisonwood Bible abounds with amazing
descriptions that are vibrantly visual, auditory and even olfactory.
I have never been to the Congo, but Kingsolver's writing allowed me
to experience its lushness, its impenetrability and even its
cruelness. By the time I had finished the book, I felt that part of
me had actually been there.
A fantastic book,
beautifully written and researched. Photo of Barbara Kingsolver from www.theguardian.com