Criticism of Works

“Literature is one of the few kinds of writing in the world that does not tell you what to buy, want, see, be, or believe.  It’s more like conversation, raising new questions and inspiring you to answer them for yourself.”Barbara Kingsolver

Barbara Kingsolver is known for addressing social and political issues in her writing.  In response to this she says, “For some reason, people in the U.S. are fond of putting me in a box labeled ‘political,’ which could mean anything: ‘this is about the world,’ or ‘this makes me uncomfortable’.”  Her working-class characters often suffer from sociopolitical ailments, which causes them to come together to conquer their obstacles.  Her plots are intricate and they unfold rapidly.  According to eNotes , “Kingsolver has attracted a large readership and critical appreciation for creating highly entertaining stories that feature strong, appealing female characters.”  She combines humor and dialogue to engage the reader.