Reviews

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley

eliasbednar's review against another edition

3.5

Frustrating, but definitely purposefully. The tone felt undefined for the first 200 or so pages and then harrowingly depressing after that. 

jlsjourneys's review against another edition

4.0

"Foreboding" is the primary word that comes to mind with this novel. Smiley was brilliant in her ability to use subtle words & events to create an overwhelming sense of pending dread. I listened to a podcast of the BBC Book Club about this book and a participant said it best: "Smiley may have done her job too well, because the emotion was so present and intense, I almost didn't want to pick the book back up." It's a brilliant book - and now I'm looking for a beach read to follow it up.

reneeritchie's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.0

Pulitzer Prize?? Zzzzzzzzzzzz. The story nor the writing style were captivating. I can see how other people would enjoy this Iowa 1970s farm-piece, but not for me.

beckymckay17's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

ronjaslibrary's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

byp's review against another edition

5.0

King Lear, but with less him and more them.

jcubifer's review against another edition

emotional tense slow-paced

4.25

jess_mango's review against another edition

4.0

A Thousand Acres is a reworking of Shakespeare's King Lear. Smiley has set her novel on a thousand acre family farm in Iowa. The family patriarch decides to retire and hands his farm over to 2 of his 3 daughters. The book started off slowly. The novel turns into a character-driven story about family and betrayal.

sunbreak's review against another edition

3.0

I may have given this more stars if I had been a reader when it was first published.. The remembered sex abuse theme is too played out by now. Parts were compelling, and the writing was enjoyable.

emmad861's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Every man in this book should be run over by a train and every woman should be put in intensive therapy. Give this book a read if you want to learn about farms.