Damn Fine Reading
I don't know why it took me so long to pick up The Poisonwood Bible. Perhaps it was the size. Even in paperback, the book is hefty, making it an unpopular commuting choice for reading.
Whatever my reasons, I am so glad I read it at last. The story of a missionary family's move to Congo in 1959 and the way that experience shapes their lives is wonderful. By wonderful I mean gut wrenching, provoking, thoughtful, emotional, splendid stuff. This was a book that invaded my dreams. How else to explain that dream of trying to find the True Jesus in a grocery store?
What astounded me most was the leap this represented in its author's style. I have read previous work by Barbara Kingsolver and enjoyed it, but never been wowed. She manages a multi first person narrative with skill, and invests all of her character, no matter how small, with personality. She knocks it out of the ballpark.
And this leap--this grasp to a higher rung on the writing ladder-- inspires me. How wonderful to see a writer get better, become more skilled.
Kudos to Kingsolver. Next time she writes a book, no matter how big and clunky and difficult to fit in my bag, I will read it.