Barbara Kingsolver
Barbara Kingsolver is an American novelist, essayist, and poet. She is best known for her works of fiction, including 'The Poisonwood Bible' and 'The Bean Trees'. Her work often focuses on social justice, biodiversity, and the interaction between humans and their environments.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Poisonwood Bible
The Poisonwood Bible is a novel that follows the experiences of a missionary family in the Belgian Congo during the 1960s. The story is told from the perspective of the wife and four daughters of the Baptist minister who drags his family into the politically volatile Congo on a mission to save souls. The novel explores themes of cultural arrogance, religious zeal, and the clash of Western and African values, as well as the personal growth and self-discovery of the women in the family as they grapple with the harsh realities of their new life and the fallout from their father's single-minded vision.
The 888th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
2. The Bean Trees
The novel follows the journey of a young woman from rural Kentucky who, on her drive west to avoid an unwanted pregnancy, is unexpectedly entrusted with a three-year-old Native American girl. The protagonist settles in Tucson, Arizona, where she builds a non-traditional family with a group of resilient and unconventional women. The narrative explores themes of love, friendship, and the power of the human spirit while tackling issues of social injustice and immigration.
The 2093rd Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
3. Demon Copperhead
"Demon Copperhead" by Barbara Kingsolver is a modern reimagining of Charles Dickens' "David Copperfield." The story follows the life of a young boy named Damon Fields, nicknamed Demon Copperhead due to his fiery red hair. Set in the rural Appalachian mountains, the novel explores Demon’s challenging upbringing, marked by poverty, addiction, and systemic neglect. Through his journey, Demon navigates foster care, the hardships of adolescence, and the struggle to find his own identity and place in the world. Kingsolver's narrative shines a light on the resilience and spirit of those often overlooked by society, offering a heartfelt and poignant tale of survival and hope.
The 2132nd Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
4. Flight Behavior
"Flight Behavior" is a thought-provoking novel that explores the effects of climate change on a small town in Appalachia. The story centers around a young woman who stumbles upon a forest filled with a massive population of monarch butterflies, which have migrated there due to changing weather patterns. This unusual event brings a flurry of scientists, reporters, and religious leaders to the town, causing upheaval in the community and forcing the protagonist to reevaluate her understanding of the world.
The 3174th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
5. Prodigal Summer
The novel weaves together the lives of three characters in southern Appalachia, exploring themes of nature, connection, and renewal. A reclusive wildlife biologist becomes entwined with a young hunter, while a recently widowed woman navigates her newfound independence and a contentious relationship with her neighbor. Through their interconnected stories, the narrative delves into the intricate balance of ecosystems and human relationships, highlighting the beauty and complexity of the natural world and the cycles of life and love.
The 9010th Greatest Book of All Time -
6. Pigs in Heaven
This novel follows the story of a young Cherokee girl and her adoptive mother. When the mother's right to custody is challenged by the Cherokee Nation, she takes her daughter and flees, sparking a nationwide manhunt. The narrative explores themes of cultural identity, belonging, and the meaning of family, while also delving into the legal and ethical complexities of Native American adoption laws.
The 13994th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
7. Animal Dreams
The novel follows the story of Codi Noline, a woman who returns to her hometown of Grace, Arizona to help her aging father. As she reconnects with her community and navigates her complicated relationship with her sister Hallie, who has disappeared in Nicaragua, Codi grapples with feelings of displacement and a lack of identity. The story explores themes of memory, heritage, love, and environmental conservation as Codi learns to find her place in the world and protect the land she calls home.
The 14901st Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
8. The Lacuna
"The Lacuna" is a captivating historical novel that follows the life of Harrison Shepherd, a young man with a Mexican-American heritage. Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous events of the early 20th century, including the Mexican Revolution and the McCarthy era in the United States, the story explores themes of identity, politics, and art. Through Shepherd's unique perspective as a writer and his encounters with iconic figures such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, the novel delves into the complexities of personal and national history, while also shedding light on the power of storytelling and the search for belonging.
The 14901st Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
9. Unsheltered
Set in two different centuries, this novel intertwines the lives of two families living in the same house in Vineland, New Jersey. In the 19th century, a science teacher grapples with societal resistance to Darwin's theories, while in the present day, a middle-aged couple faces economic instability and family challenges. Both narratives explore themes of resilience, adaptation, and the search for security amidst crumbling foundations, highlighting the timeless struggle to find shelter in a world that is constantly changing.
The 17007th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon
