Literary · Historical
The Poisonwood Bible
In 1959, a fervent Baptist missionary drags his wife and four daughters to a village in the Belgian Congo. The women narrate in turn as the family unravels and the country around them moves toward independence.
- First published
- 1998
- Pace
- slow
- Length
- long
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a layered family story that also looks critically at colonialism and good intentions.
Skip this if you want a quick read, since the middle section is slow and the tragedy is deeply felt.
The feel
Content warnings
Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Barnes & Noble | Check price | Buy new from Barnes & Noble |
| Print, used | ||
| AbeBooks | Check price | Buy used from AbeBooks |
| ThriftBooks | Check price | Buy used from ThriftBooks |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
Prices appear here as retailer feeds are connected. Where none is shown, check the store. Links open the store in a new tab.
Share this pick
Because you might love it
If you loved The Poisonwood Bible
-
Things Fall Apart
Shows the colonial encounter from the other side, in a short and powerful African classic.
-
Half of a Yellow Sun
Another African-set family story through political upheaval, told by an author from the region.
-
Heart of Darkness
A much shorter and more famous account of outsiders in Africa, whose attitudes this book quietly answers.
Literary