A review by zwe
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley

emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I mean, a King Lear retelling on Iowa farmland? Not exactly bursting with excitement. But it was sooo good. All the different dynamics between the sisters and their father and husbands and everyone in town were interesting and engaging. The only thing I didn't like was sexual violence/abuse being used as like, shock value. I just don't feel like that added any value to the story. We already knew their father was a terrible person, we already had plenty of examples of that. I was so proud of Ginny when she finally had enough and left and started living for herself. I'm not remembering his name right now, but the guy who fucked her and her sister SUCKED. I know exactly what kind of guy he is and every time he was in a chapter I rolled my eyes. 
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