Comments on: The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

By: Stephen Fryer

Stephen Fryer — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 07:25:02 +0000

I’m British, so much of the US and Mexican history in this book was new to me. But it fascinated me, and the device of using the fiction of Harrison’s life to portray real events worked.
As to the bit about the first pages: I have to agree, it’s all too long. The same was true of The Poisonwood Bible, her other great work (so far). Yes, these pages set the scene but at too high a cost in lost attention. imo!

By: Sandi

Sandi — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:54:58 +0000

I have to admit that I can only swallow history when encased in a novel. This story was a sweet treat that I could not put down until I had re-learned, assuming I learned it in the first place, about Frida Kahlo, Diego Riveria, Trotsky and the Committee on Un-American Activities. Only in ‘Googling’ the main characters did I learned that Mr. Shepherd was ficticious. I guess I am glad of that. Unfortunately, what I also learned was how close the current political scene reflects that very scary and arrogant era of the 1950s: one party’s view of what America should be.

By: Judy

Judy — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:21:13 +0000

Only days before Christmas and I have tons of things to do, but could not put down this book. Her word choices are uniquely hers and conjured more impressions than I thought I was capable of holding at the same time. Great story. It will become a treasured reread for me.

By: James Mitchell

James Mitchell — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:40:27 +0000

That the first 100 pages are difficult I’ll agree, that they should be reduced I wouldn’t. Their details and their themes return through the rest of the novel, playing personal travail against public. The are the plinth for the temple.