Congo, Christianity, & Colonialism: I finally finished The Poisonwood Bible
It took me almost two years to finish reading the novel, The Poisonwood Bible, and, trust me, I have a lot to say! I hope to capture all my thoughts precisely. I do appreciate the way the author wrote about the history of Congo in such depth: covering colonialism and post, missionaries in the Congo, political situations, etc.
It took me almost three years to finish reading the novel, The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, and, trust me, I have a lot to say! So much so that I am dedicating a full blog post about it! And I hope to capture all my thoughts precisely.
The novel is about a missionary family: Nathan Price, the Baptist evangelical, his wife, and his four young daughters, who go to the Belgian Congo in 1959 to bring the Gospel to the Congolese people—and show them “the way.” They arrive in the fictional village called “Kilanga” and are unprepared for “the village life in the jungle”. According to the missionary family, the Congolese people are uncivilized and ignorant, and so on. The book covers three decades in the Congo.
My overall criticism/thoughts
All in all, I do appreciate the way the author wrote about the history of Congo in such depth: covering colonialism and post, missionaries in the Congo, political situations, etc. I highlighted so much—So many great sentences/quotes!
“Now everyone’s pretending to set the record straight: they’ll have their hearings, while Mobutu makes a show of changing all European-sounding place names to indigenous ones, to rid us of the sound of foreign domination. And what will change? He’ll go on falling over his feet to make deals with the Americans, who still control all our cobalt and diamond mines. In return, every grant of foreign aid goes straight to Mobutu himself.”
There was a lot of truth regarding the ugly politics in the Congo or cultural observations. Sadly, the political situation hasn’t changed much, even the Congolese people's mentality regarding the survival mindset, i.e: bribing etc! So accurate, and it pains me to write this, as someone with Congolese roots. This is why I wanted to write this review from the point of view of someone who loves reading fiction and happens to have ties to Congo.
“The same argument is made by telephone operators, who’ll place a call outside the country for you only after you specify the location in Kinshasa where you’ll leave l’enveloppe containing your bribe. Same goes for the men who handle visas and passports. To an outsider it looks like chaos. It isn’t. It’s negotiation, infinitely ordered and endless.”
“She’s explained this to me a dozen times, but it only sinks in as I come to see for myself what it is, this life. Anybody who needs anything in Kinshasa—a kidney-stone operation or a postage stamp—has to bargain for it, shrewdly. The Congolese are used to it and have developed a thousand shortcuts. They sum up prospects by studying each other’s clothing and disposition, and the bargaining process is well under way before they open their mouths to speak. If you’re deaf to this subtle conversation, it comes as a shock when the opening bid seems to be, “Madame, I request from you three thousand zaires.” I’ve heard foreign visitors complain that the Congolese are greedy, naive, and inefficient. They have no idea. The Congolese are skilled at survival and perceptive beyond belief, or else dead at an early age. Those are the choices.”
Christianity in Congo
I know firsthand the stronghold that missionaries and Christianity have had (still have) in the Congo. However, the author downplayed it a bit. In the Kilanga village at least, it seems that most people rejected the Gospel, according to the author. But she missed the opportunity to write about how the Gospel was widely accepted before & during Mobutu’s regime—and is still the most respected and popular religion in Congo. Congolese have since been brainwashed into “waiting” for Jesus to change the nation—without action—while “foreigners” continue to loot natural resources (Yes, the political situation is more complex than that: The Belgium government and American government played a big role in it as well—and Congo’s very own greedy leaders—but the focus of this section is religion). Side note, I write a bit about this in my own work.
“Like a princess in a story, Congo was born too rich for her own good, and attracted attention far and wide from men who desire to rob her blind. The United States has now become the husband of Zaire’s economy, and not a very nice one. Exploitive and condescending, in the name of steering her clear of the moral decline inevitable to her nature.”
Regarding Nathan Price, the Missionary who brought the Gospel to the “villagers” in the book—he was obsessed with baptizing children and shoving the bible down everyone’s throat. He was very intense and manipulative—to the point that it resulted in an unfortunate tragedy (No spoiler). As we know, many Baptist missionaries tried to convert Congolese or Africans in general to Christianity and encouraged them to leave behind their traditions, witch doctors, and“fetishes.” But the book made it seem as if Nathan Price wasn’t successful at all—in his mission—when I know firsthand how Christianity was indeed accepted as the “main” religion in Congo. Nathan Price’s character was so extreme towards the end that it was hard to believe it, unfortunately. Almost comical.
Unrealistic Scenario during the Congo Crisis/Revolution- Post-colonialism
One thing that bothered me was how unrealistic things in the Congo were portrayed at times. For example, a white mother leaving her daughters behind in the Congo during a very crazy time—1961/1962! Alone! During the “Independence Movement” and after Lumumba was killed, most whites were practically chased out or worse. It is too difficult to imagine a minor (Leah) would have been left behind—in an African village! And she was sick? Okay, yes she had Anatole (her male Congolese friend/boyfriend) but the whole situation was just unrealistic, given how crazy things were during this period (I wasn’t there, obviously, but from what I know).
I want to be oppressed vibes!
In the years to come, after deciding to stay in the Congo with her boyfriend/husband, Leah, one of the daughters, went on and on about how she was poor, hungry, and miserable—even though she had the option to leave the Congo and have a better life. It is hard to believe her husband would stay in those circumstances WITH CHILDREN when they had the option for a better life—for their kids. It irritated me so much because this is what you call self-inflicted suffering.
It is so obvious that this was written with the mindset/mentality of a white woman trying to speak for Congolese people. I appreciated Leah’s desire to fight for justice or hope for true freedom or independence for Congo, but at times it screamed: “I want to be oppressed.” Leah and Anatole had the chance to start fresh in the US, but they went back to Congo during Mobutu’s regime! When Anatole was a wanted man for being pro-Lumumba? That is so laughable! Congolese were doing the total opposite during that time—no matter how much of a pro-Lumumba activist they may have been, they were fleeing! Therefore, it is so unrealistic for Leah and Anatole to choose not to stay in America because people were criticizing the scars on her husband’s face or because they had a hard time adjusting to life in the US. Ask any immigrant who has *truly* suffered: that is a minor disadvantage—especially then! Congolese were fleeing with no return!
But I guess the author had to do it for the plot. Or else, how would we know and see Leah’s character arc in the Congo?
The oldest sister was an open racist, but the most entertaining character.
From the beginning, Rachel wanted to leave Africa so badly, but now years later (70s/Mobutu regime), she conveniently inherited her late husband’s hotel in Brazzaville and is so suddenly happy to stay. For so long? I didn’t buy it. Because most “foreigners” eventually left, even for just a break, and then maybe returned. So here you have a white (single) American woman in her 40s/50s, running a hotel in Brazzaville during a very turmoil time in the history of Congo—and never ever leaving the continent—it was too hard to believe.
Lastly, in the end, 20-something years later, the mother and daughters return to the continent and the narrator mentions that this was during the African War.
“In the six months since they began to plan their trip, the Congo has been swept by war.”
I am laughing again because, once again, this family conveniently and comfortably seems to be in the Congo during its most traumatic times—during another crisis: the war. They are somehow not afraid of being in danger and feel confident that they can just find their old little village of Kilanga when the country is torn apart?? Maybe I missed something because the narrator did not mention the exact location they were at in this scene, but the Congo and all neighboring countries were in turmoil during the African War.
When so many Congolese families were getting killed or trying to flee the country…this nice white American family was gloating away, speaking Kikongo with sellers at a local market.
On what planet were they on?!
Foreign language issues were distracting.
To add on: Some foreign languages used weren’t a good portrayal of how people spoke, especially if they lived in Kinshasa. Her children were going around saying “Sala Mbote”? I have never heard anyone greeting others saying: “sala mbote” and I grew up with Congolese parents. It would just be: “mbote.”
Maybe it’s just me though and it is a thing?
Conclusion
The book started super slow, but I was intrigued when it picked up at the 150 mark or so until the 300 pages or so. If the book had wrapped things up right around the time Mobutu came into power, post-colonialism, it would have made so much sense. Everything after that made no sense to me whatsoever.
I do appreciate the author writing about Congo and its history, and emphasizing the negative effects that Christianity may have had on the Congolese people; however, when I got to the end of the novel, I was angry and frustrated.
Maybe that was the point?
The Road Less Traveled- Ask Questions & Face Your Pain
I don’t advise that anyone reads this book unless they are ready to be challenged mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
I personally have been avoiding dealing with certain things-mentally and spiritually—simply because of the pain and suffering that comes with facing our problems. This book just completely broke me but also gave me courage and enlightenment and wisdom. I have probably highlighted or underlined 90% of the book.
“We cannot obtain an answer by not asking the questions.”
I have reached a place in life where I am deconstructing everything I have learned growing up to hopefully reconstruct it in a way that actually makes sense to me. Often times, we are told not to ask questions about things we don’t understand. Things that surpass our understanding. I don’t agree with this. I think we all ought to be asking questions. And seeking more knowledge and wisdom to grow.
“The path of spiritual growth is a path of lifelong learning.”
Five years ago I would have fallen asleep trying to read books on spiritual growth so cheers to more growth. Happy weekend!
Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins- Book Review
What a hidden gem of a treasure found in Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins. Can’t Hurt Me is packed with wisdom and hard truth (and emotional hardships he faced) David’s story is simply remarkable. He didn’t let his past dictate his future and chose to go above and beyond in everything. I can’t wrap my head around his strength–physically and mentally. It’s mind-boggling.
Everything in life is a mind game! Whenever we get swept under by life’s dramas, large and small, we are forgetting that no matter how bad the pain gets, no matter how harrowing the torture, all bad things end. That forgetting happens the second we give control over our emotions and actions to other people, which can easily happen when pain is peaking.
-David Goggins
What a hidden gem of a treasure found in Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins. Can’t Hurt Me is packed with wisdom and hard truth (and emotional hardships he faced) David’s story is simply remarkable. He didn’t let his past dictate his future and chose to go above and beyond in everything. I can’t wrap my head around his strength–physically and mentally. It’s mind-boggling.
I have already recommended this book to all those close to me: brothers, cousins, friends etc so I definitely recommend this book to you ALL (even more so than the last book I posted about earlier this week), especially to those of you who are obsessed/addicted to hard work & achieving goals/dreams –those who never stop grinding–even when the odds are against you.
“There will always be the 1 percent of us who are willing to put in the work to defy the odds.”
“Motivation is crap. Motivation comes and goes. When you’re driven, whatever is in front of you will get destroyed.”
Just a small disclaimer: lots of foul language.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F – Book Review
I know the book title makes it seem like the book is literally about not giving a f about anything, but it’s actually quite the opposite which is in a way contradicting. You’ll see for yourself. I think it’s worth a read if you can get by all the foul language.
Had to see what the hype was all about! Let’s talk about The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F.
Everything we think and feel about a situation ultimately comes back to how valuable we perceive it to be.”
Out of all the books I have read recently, this is the only one that caught my husband’s attention. Ha. A line that made me ponder about my life.👇🏾
— “Our values determine the nature of our problems, and the nature of our problems determine the quality of our lives…..- Mark Manson
Hmmmm …felt that.
So I’ll be honest, I wasn’t too sure about this one at first. Took me a while to get into it. The first quarter just has too much swearing for my taste so I almost didn’t continue. I picked it back up a few days later and it got better (more depth) as I kept reading. Spent my Sunday afternoon finishing it. There were many moments of reflection and self-evaluation on my end, as well as highlighted texts.
I know the book title makes it seem like the book is literally about not giving a f about anything, but it’s actually quite the opposite which is in a way contradicting. You’ll see for yourself. I think it’s worth a read if you can get by all the foul language.
I am Restored by Lecrae Book Review
When we’re at our lowest point, our problems appear magnified and are all we can see. Our mindset becomes dominated by the pain of the moment we’re in. We can’t see anything other than what we’re facing.
When we’re at our lowest point, our problems appear magnified and are all we can see. Our mindset becomes dominated by the pain of the moment we’re in. We can’t see anything other than what we’re facing.”- @lecrae
I’ve been “following” Lecrae’s journey and been a fan of his music for a very long time (’05).
I saw the shift in his music and personally started to appreciate and love it more over the years. I felt like it was more real. Raw. Authentic.
This memoir “I am Restored” is very transparent and is packed with wisdom. Lecrae discusses many important topics, such as church hurt, racism, views on evangelical Christianity, the music industry, trauma, depression, spiritual darkness, and a lot more that I could relate to! As someone who grew up in the church, I could relate so much to some of the disappointment Lecrae faced with evangelical Christianity.
I felt every emotion. Every word. Only God can truly restore our souls.
I highly recommend this one!