Why was Barbara Kingsolver ridiculed at school as a young girl? How did she later triumph in the eyes of the small town where she was raised and went to school? Why did it give her a feeling of freedom?

Why did Barbara and her family move to Spain? What did she learn about supporting one's country? How were anti-war protesters treated during the Gulf War? What did most people not realize about the Gulf War?

What did Barbara dislike most about book tours? What question did Barbara find difficult to answer relative to her books? Who did Barbara base her characters on? Why did she fear that her hometown might be upset about her first novel?

What experiences did Barbara have in Western Africa? Why did she first travel there? What unnerving run-in did she have with a Somba woman? What were some...