A Response to Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible and the essentializing of Africa: a critical double standard? Barbara Kingsolver was not able to enter the Congo/Zaire while she was writing this book. She admits that she is relying on memories, other cultures, and others accounts of what the Congo/Zaire is like to write this book. I disagree with what William F. Purcell has to say about the use of cultures in her book. It is odd that her book is the exception to the criticism but that does not mean go and attack the culture that she added that doesn't belong in the Congo. Every book is criticized on its content. There is no doubt that someone besides Purcell criticized her use of culture in the book. He claims that “Critics have failed