The Poisonwood Bible Summary

In 1959, a zealous Baptist preacher, Nathan Price, relocates his wife and their four daughters to the deep jungles of Congo with a mission to convert the local African tribes to Christianity. Each woman in the Price family has a unique perspective on this move. Orleanna, the mother, follows her husband's decision without protest, whereas their eldest daughter, Rachel, is disgruntled about being uprooted from her normal teenage life. The youngest, Ruth May, is a mix of thrill and fear. Leah, the enthusiastic 14-year-old, is the only one who fully supports her father's religious fervor. Lastly, there's Leah's twin Adah, who despite being physically challenged, is a keen observer. All of them, however, have a firm belief that their culture is far superior to that in the village of Kilanga, and that they will easily adapt and master their new surroundings.

However, their overconfidence quickly begins to crumble. The first hint of a reality check comes when Nathan is unsuccessful in planting a vegetable garden, as the North American plants don't adapt to African conditions. Then, their local help, Mama Tataba, leaves in anger because of Nathan's insistence on baptizing the locals in a river infamous for a recent crocodile attack. As the cultural shock continues to affect the women, Nathan remains stubbornly focused on his mission, refusing to adapt or learn from the locals. Even when the country is on the brink of gaining independence from Belgium, and the family is advised to leave due to an anticipated purge of Westerners, Nathan declines. As a result, Orleanna falls into a state of despair, and the older daughters must step up to take care of the family.

During this time, the family undergoes significant changes. Orleanna becomes more assertive towards Nathan and looks desperately for a way to escape Africa with her daughters. Leah loses faith in her father's rigid worldview while falling in love with the local teacher, Anatole. Rachel pretends to be engaged to a mercenary pilot to avoid marriage to a local chieftain. Adah develops a fascination for the local language. A bout of malaria leaves Ruth May a shadow of her former self. Tragedy strikes when a snake bite kills Ruth May. In the aftermath, Orleanna leads her daughters away from Kilanga. Rachel moves to South Africa, Adah and Orleanna return to the US, and Leah, recovering from malaria under Anatole's care, decides to stay in Congo and marry him. The women go on to lead different lives, with Orleanna always carrying guilt and seeking forgiveness from Ruth May, which is eventually granted in the afterlife.