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I received my order from this seller in a timely matter of 3-4 business days and the book is in PERFECT condition. I highly recommend this seller to anyone who is interested in purchasing high quality used books.
The plot and story line are gripping. Nathan has brought with him all types of seeds to plant to show these natives how to make a garden. For example, I didn't much care for Nathan Price, the father of this family so you can see what a marvelous talent she has for character development. When he is planting he refuses the suggestions of one of the African women to plant in hills rather than level rows, the result of which, rains come and wash everything away. In one sense it is historical because of events involving African rulers and their countries, well publicized around the world. The author has managed to develop each character into people one can easily relate to and understand. Barbara Kingsolver has written an exciting novel, I call a "page turner". They are unsuitable to African soil and climate.
The natives absolutely will not allow this. His seeds produce huge vines and leaves, but no fruit. They've already lost children to the crocodiles when they wandered too close to the water. The story is told in a chronological order divided between the characters and their ongoing thoughts and reactions to each situation. I especially enjoyed reading this book through the eyes of the children in this missionary family. Nathan is just so convinced that he knows so much more than these African people about everything.
He was indeed a misguided soul in his religious concepts and his attitude towards his wife and family. They arrive in this native village in the Belgian Congo almost totally without missionary support because they were warned not to go. His big focus is on getting the African children baptized in the river. This book will keep you reading long after you need to sleep.
I read this book several years ago, and I still remember it vividly. It's a great view into colonialism in Africa in the 1960's and a family of white people trying to deal with the fact that they're pretty much cut off from the world as they settle into an African village because the father (Nathan Price) is such a religious fanatic and thinks that it's just fine to uproot his entire family and place them at risk (and several tragedies do occur)The descriptions of the family's reactions (told from the mom and the 4 daughters in their own POV's) especially bring the story to life as each person tells their own view of things and their reactions and interactions with the villagers as well as their tyrannical, authoritarian father (or in Mom's case, husband). I don't want to say too much else, in risk of spoiling the story, but it definitely has some nice twists and turns, as well as a bittersweet and mostly satisfying (but very realistic ending. Definitely a great book and not one to be missed.
Beautiful descriptions of a Garden of Eden-esque setting which refuses to be tamed, and furthermore refuses to yield, teaching it's inhabitants harsh survival lessons. Thought provoking, lyrical and poetic, a book that reminds us of our own place on Earth and the things we take for granted. A gem.
:)I enjoyed the Price family.all except the father.the daughters made some life decisions that definitely had their father's influence.The book is superbly written.you won't want to put it down. I definitely wouldn't want to live there for even a day.no niceties of life at all.
What are we doing." quote from Page 523.and.I asked myself that question throughout the book as the Price Family continued with their missionary work and all the hardships and heartache the family endured.The Price Family.Father Nathan, Mother Orleanna, and their four daughters pack for their mission in the Congo trying to figure out what they should take.not knowing that most of the things they take will be useless and not knowing what is in store for them in terms of day-to-day living. "Beto nki tutasala.
The family endures the hardships of a third world country while enduring the abuse from Nathan.It was interesting to see how the people in the Congo live. While they are there, the country fights for its independence from Belgium.Nathan Price is a very controlling, mean person.he treats his wife and his daughters like second-class citizens while he preaches to the people of the Congo.
He is oblivious to what he is putting his family through. I know the book was about more than the family's living arrangements and treatment of them by Nathan Price, but that encompassed all of it for me.
You also learn that your childhood and what you learn does follow you throughout your entire life, influences your decisions about career and spouse, and that you are like your parents no matter how much you may not want to admit it.A definite must read.it will haunt you long after you have completed the last page
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