Barbara Kingsolver at a Glance

Full Name: Barbara Ellen Kingsolver

Pronunciation: BAR-bruh KING-sawl-ver

Born: April 8, 1955

Nationality: United States

Education:

• DePauw University (BA, Biology)
• University of Arizona (MS)

Genres:

• Fiction
• Poetry
• Creative nonfiction

Biography & Background

Barbara Kingsolver Biography

Barbara Kingsolver was originally born in Maryland but spent the better part of her childhood in rural Kentucky, with brief stints in various international locations due to her father’s career as a physician. She became enamored of the writing process at age eight when she was gifted a journal, and this nascent interest gained momentum as she participated in school essay contests, one submission of which was printed in a newspaper and had an influence on local politics.

She attended DePauw University on a piano scholarship but eventually shifted to a major in biology, earning a bachelor’s degree. She later earned a master’s degree from the University of Arizona and went on to engage in practical writing projects like grant-writing and investigative journalism. Although her writing endeavors expanded into more creative arenas, she did not pursue fiction-writing in earnest until the 1980s, when she secured a literary agent and published The Bean Trees (1988), her first novel.

Over the following decades, her writing career gained considerable momentum. The Bean Trees was succeeded by Homeland (1989) and a work of investigative journalism called Holding the Line: Women in the Great Arizona Mine Strike (1989). In 1995, she published an essay collection titled High Tide in Tucson, and soon afterward, she penned her celebrated novel, The Poisonwood Bible (1998), which was featured in Oprah’s Book Club and also garnered additional honors. This success was followed by a range of other projects, including Animal Dreams (1990), Prodigal Summer (2000), and The Lacuna (2009), among many others. To date, her work has been translated into more than 30 languages, and with the publication of Demon Copperhead (2022), she was honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Fun Facts About Barbara Kingsolver

• As a child, Kingsolver traveled with her family to the Republic of Congo in 1963, and she now sees the experience as having “initiated” her to the concept of “cultural difference.”
• Caught up in a fit of spring cleaning, Kingsolver very nearly threw away her long-neglected manuscript for The Bean Trees but decided at the last minute to send it to her literary agent instead, with an apologetic note reading, “I’m sorry, you probably don’t want this. I think it’s a novel” (“Barbara Reveals Herself.” Barbara Kingsolver Authorized Site). The Bean Trees was published one year later and received favorable reviews.
• Kingsolver is the only author to become a two-time winner of the UK’s Women’s Prize for Fiction.

Barbara Kingsolver’s Awards & Honors

• 2000 — National Humanities Medal
• 2008 — James Beard Award for Literary Writing (Animal, Vegetable, Miracle)
• 2010 — Women’s Prize for Fiction (The Lacuna)
• 2011 — Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award
• 2021 — Induction into the American Academy of Arts and Letters
• 2023 — Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (Demon Copperhead)
• 2023 — Women’s Prize for Fiction (Demon Copperhead)

Interviews & Podcasts

Hear from Barbara Kingsolver in her own words.

Interviews with Barbara Kingsolver

_{OPRAH DAILY}

Oprah’s Book Club Author Barbara Kingsolver Writes the “Great Appalachian Novel” (October 19, 2022)

In this in-depth interview, Kingsolver discusses Demon Copperhead and how Charles Dickens’s David Copperfield inspired her to write a modern Appalachian coming-of-age story. She discusses poverty, resilience, and the opioid crisis, shedding light on the social injustices that shaped the novel.

_{THE EZRA KLEIN SHOW}

Transcript: Ezra Klein Interviews Barbara Kingsolver (July 21, 2023)

Kingsolver joins Ezra Klein for a wide-ranging discussion on storytelling, climate change, and activism in fiction. She reflects on her scientific background, her approach to character-driven narratives, and the role of literature in shifting societal perspectives.

Podcasts with Barbara Kingsolver

_{NPR PODCAST}

Demon Copperhead Tackles Opioids, Poverty, and Resilience in Appalachia (October 16, 2023)

In this NPR feature, Kingsolver discusses how Demon Copperhead shines a light on systemic struggles in rural America, particularly the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic. She also reflects on her writing process and the importance of giving a voice to overlooked communities.

_{POURED OVER}

Barbara Kingsolver on Demon Copperhead (June 6, 2023)

In 2023, Barbara Kingsolver joined Barnes & Noble’s Poured Over podcast to discuss Demon Copperhead, her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel set in Appalachia. She talks about the region’s struggles and resilience, her personal connection to the story, and how her journalism background influenced her writing. Hosted by Miwa Messer, the episode also examines how politics inform literature and Kingsolver’s broader work, and discusses other books—such as Dopesick by Beth Macy—that explore the opioid crisis.

You can listen to the full episode and read the transcript at the link above. You can also watch the episode on YouTube.

Barbara Kingsolver Quotes

There is no point treating a depressed person as though she were just feeling sad, saying, “There now, hang on, you'll get over it.” Sadness is more or less like a head cold—with patience, it passes. Depression is like cancer.

— The Bean Trees (1988)

What keeps you going isn't some fine destination but just the road you're on, and the fact that you know how to drive. You keep your eyes open, you see this damned-to-hell world you got born into, and you ask yourself, 'What life can I live that will let me breathe in & out and love somebody or something and not run off screaming into the woods?

— Animal Dreams (1990)

Listen. To live is to be marked. To live is to change, to acquire the words of a story, and that is the only celebration we mortals really know. In perfect stillness, frankly, I've only found sorrow.

— The Poisonwood Bible (1998)

The most important thing about a person is always the thing you don't know.

— The Lacuna (2009)

I kept my writing a secret for more than twenty years because it seemed an indulgent passion, and I’m well aware of how risk and luck have crossed my path at important turns. […] I came within about six inches of discarding my first novel, rather than bother anyone to read it. Now, every time I begin a new book, I wonder again who will follow me down these roads, to ask these hard questions that draw me in. And still, readers do. That is the best luck of all.

— autobiography on official website (Barbara Kingsolver: Autobiography)

Notable Books by Barbara Kingsolver

The Poisonwood Bible (1998)

One of Kingsolver’s most celebrated novels, The Poisonwood Bible is a multivoiced narrative about a missionary family’s life in the Belgian Congo during the 1950s and 1960s. Through the perspectives of the mother and her four daughters, Kingsolver examines themes of colonialism, religious extremism, and cultural arrogance. The novel’s historical and political depth and deeply personal character arcs make it a defining work in Kingsolver’s career.

Check out SuperSummary’s study guide.

Flight Behavior (2012)

Blending environmental science with personal transformation, Flight Behavior follows Dellarobia Turnbow, a discontent Appalachian woman who stumbles upon a breathtaking yet disturbing sight—millions of monarch butterflies roosting in the mountains, far from their usual migration path. The novel explores climate change, scientific discovery, and rural life, offering a deeply human perspective on ecological crises. Kingsolver’s background in biology informs the narrative, making it a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between science and everyday life.

Check out SuperSummary’s study guide.

Unsheltered (2018)

In Unsheltered, Kingsolver weaves a dual-timeline narrative exploring personal and societal collapse. In the present, Willa Knox grapples with financial ruin, family strife, and a crumbling house in New Jersey. In the 19th century, science teacher Thatcher Greenwood battles resistance to Charles Darwin’s theories. Both protagonists confront instability in eras of change, questioning the foundations of their lives. With sharp social commentary and richly drawn characters, the book examines resilience, adaptation, and the shifting structures—both literal and metaphorical—that shape human experience.

Check out SuperSummary’s study guide.

Authors Like Barbara Kingsolver

Julia Alvarez

Recommended Read: In the Time of the Butterflies (1994)

Julia Alvarez, like Kingsolver, blends historical and political themes with compelling personal narratives. In the Time of the Butterflies fictionalizes the lives of the Mirabal sisters, real-life Dominican revolutionaries who opposed Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship. Through rich character development and a deep sense of place, Alvarez creates a moving portrait of resistance and female solidarity, making her an excellent recommendation for Kingsolver fans.

Check out SuperSummary’s study guide.

Chris Bohjalian

Recommended Read: Midwives (1997)

For readers drawn to Kingsolver’s exploration of ethical dilemmas and social justice, Chris Bohjalian’s Midwives is a compelling choice. The novel centers on a midwife accused of manslaughter after a home birth goes tragically wrong. Examining medical ethics, legal battles, and community tensions, Midwives mirrors Kingsolver’s ability to tackle complex social issues through intimate, character-driven storytelling.

Alice Munro

Recommended Read: Too Much Happiness (2009)

Alice Munro’s short fiction, like Kingsolver’s novels, delves into the emotional lives of ordinary people, often highlighting women’s struggles in contemporary society. Too Much Happiness, a collection of 10 stories, explores love, loss, and unexpected transformations. Munro’s precise, understated prose makes her an ideal recommendation for fans of Kingsolver’s character-driven narratives.

Follow Barbara Kingsolver

Connect with Barbara Kingsolver on the following platforms:

• Website: www.barbarakingsolver.net
• Facebook: Kingsolver Books
• Instagram: @barbara.kingsolver