The Poisonwood Bible (1998) by Barbara Kingsolver

This is epic. By putting "bible" in the title, two things are immediately made known: there will be religion, and there will be scope. Kingsolver's book provides both.

The Poisonwood Bible follows the Price family from Georgia to Congo in 1959, amidst a swelling government overthrow. But it's not so much about the change in government as the change in the Price family. The story is told through the point of view of the family's four girls (Rachel, Leah, Adah, and Ruth May), and mother Orleanna. There are trials and tribulations to follow, many of them ripe with metaphor and allegory.

The Poisonwood Bible, though quite long, is rich and satisfying. There's certainly a lot to talk about throughout and after reading. It's lovely really to see the growth of the characters throughout time, especially near the book's final third, which spans decades.

The book's biggest fault is it's heavy-handedness, which isn't too surprising considering the title, begging comparison to the Holy Book. However, Kingsolver has a way with words, and does a wonderful job utilizing various first person point-of-views in telling a fictional story that feels not only like truth, but reality.

9/10

The Avalanches - Since I Left You (2000) / DJ Shadow - Endtroducing... (1996)

In 1985, composer John Oswald coined the term "plunderphonics" in an article titled Plunderphonics, or Audio Piracy as a Compositional Prerogative. Audio piracy is used not as an insult, though, but as truth. Yes, plunderphonic music is sample-heavy and brings nothing new to the table. But it's not unoriginal. The genre at its best marries unique sounds into something fresh.

Recently I listened to what many consider as two of the best albums in the plunderphonics subgenre: The Avalanches' 2000 debut Since I Left You and DJ Shadow's iconic Endtroducing.... Both are outstanding albums. Both artists are skilled at using previously used songs and audio recordings to convey a theme. Often both albums are frantic, moody, and beautiful.

Honestly though I don't know what to say. I liked both of them quite a bit (preferences toward Since I Left You, but that opinion could change), but I don't know why I liked them as much as I did. Does it sound good? Yea. The production on both are stellar, and are testaments to originality. Good artists copy, great artists steal, and both DJ Shadow and The Avalanches are great artists.

Since I Left You - 9.5/10

Endtroducing... - 9/10