As Jordyn Flows

[Below is my analysis of Jim’s provincial book review of Kingsolver’s “The Poisonwood Bible.” Although I was not enthralled with this novel, Kingsolver’s prose is undoubtedly excellent and historically accurate. In this piece I explain as to why I believe Jim’s review lacks credibility and respect].

Jim’s opinion of The Poisonwood Bible is superficial as well as taken to the extreme. As a reader he fails to understand Kingsolver’s underlying message about culture. Instead, he emphasizes the novel’s negative and impartial portrayal of “white, male, able-bodied, Christians.” His review is ironic because he embodies Reverend Price’s personality-provincial, obstinate, and arrogant. Jim focuses on The Poisonwood Bible’s perspective on topics that relate to him specifically such as his faith and race. He claims that the author describes Westerners as “shockingly intolerant.” Well, Nathan is intolerant considering his everlasting attempt to impose his religion on others.
I can understand Jim’s mockery of the complaints and the initial discomfort that the Prices feel throughout their first weeks in Africa. However, despite the beginning of the novel, the Prices encounter many severe problems. Therefore I completely disagree with Jim in his description of the Prices entire adventure as easy as “Betty Crocker Cake mix.” Overall, it was grueling for the Prices as the only Americans in Kilanga to become acclimated with the culture. Jim does not take into consideration the isolation, health risk, and traumatic events the family faces. A valid example of the Prices realistic experience in the Congo is Ruth May’s death.
Finally, Jim describes Kingsolver as self-loathing since Adah long for her deformity since she felt that it played a large role in her personal identity. She does not feel like her true self after she loses hemiplegia. It is legitimate for her to hold on to who she was and her past lifestyle. I do not think it is horrible that Adah struggles with being completely healthy since she has grown accustomed to her deformity. I understand Adah when she says, “we are our injuries.” I do not see as to why Jim thinks this quote makes Kingsolver self-loathing.