Reviews

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley

Only show reviews with written explanations

sash512's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

blondierocket's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

A modernized King Lear, where a farmer, Larry Cook, decides to divide his farm into three pieces for his three daughters. While two go along with the plan, the youngest daughter, Caroline, voices reservations and is left out in the cold.

The book is told from the perspective of the older daughter, Ginny, as she watches her family change over the course of four-five years.

Made into a motion picture staring Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Lange, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Colin Firth the story is all about family struggle, pain, deceit, forgiveness, jealousy, and death.

I’ve seen the movie a few times, but the book is much more than movie could ever be. It helped being able to picture faces to the characters but Smiley’s in depth struggle of this family and their traditions shows greatly through the written word.

Challenges: Book Into Movie, 999 Challenge, 50/100+ Book Challenge, New Authors Challenge, RYOB 2009, Winter Reading Challenge, Book vs. Movie Challenge, EW’s New Classics

pained_creations's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.75

Not familiar with King Lear, so can't say if it is a decent modern retelling, but as a stand-alone book, I thought it was okay, if a bit far-fetched. Touches on many issues of a very dysfunctional farming family, and what happens with jealousy, secrets and pride take over several members of that family.

Content Warnings

malau's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

lauradee's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad 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

cwolfe2992's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

I wish for so much more for the women in this book.

lizawall's review against another edition

Go to review page

My favorite thing about this book is that it takes place mostly on a farm, and makes you feel like you are really getting something about farm life. Somehow it managed to feel simultaneously austere and melodramatic. I wish it had felt more austere, less melodramatic.