Take a photo of a barcode or cover
snailpotatoes 's review for:
The Lacuna
by Barbara Kingsolver
As a dedicated Kingsolver fan, I profess The Lacuna is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Kingsolver’s prose is endlessly beautiful. Her writing is filled with unlikely metaphors which returning throughout the text at unexpected but perfect intervals, displaying Kingsolver’s genius ability to communicate with the reader. Being a history lover, I so enjoyed Shepard’s direct immersion in historical events, and especially adored his dialogue with and close relationship to Frida Kahlo. Though Shepard’s naivety is occasionally heavy-handed, I understand Kingsolver’s characters are often vehicles to promote her beliefs in social justice and historical misdeeds in a manner palatable to a potentially ignorant American audience. Ultimately, Shepard’s innocence represents the perspective of someone actually experiencing history, which is likely why his observations appear blunt to a reader with knowledge of history’s trajectory. Kingsolver imbues her stories with remarkable wit, impelling me to laugh openly and become endeared to the frank and clever characters. I found the unraveling history element incredibly satisfying, though somewhat confusing as certain developments are initially obscured until the reader receives further information as history progresses. The exposition may seem slightly aimless, and therefore potentially inaccessible to new Kingsolver readers, though her writing throughout is continually exquisite. Kingsolver’s unmatched writing quality, wholesome characters, and fascinating historical exploration make The Lacuna an incredibly worthwhile read.