The Lacuna: A Novel Audiobook

" This was a long book which I never would have gotten through in print form but it was great to listen to. Got me through a cross country trip! Barbara Kingsolver is a great writer and I enjoyed this story. "

" Everything about this book -- Kingsolver and her reputation, the 500+ page weightiness of the novel, the epic scope of the narrative and the vast research involved, etc. -- suggests the "great American novel." For whatever reason, though, The Lacuna didn't capture my imagination as I thought it would, and I ended up feeling my interest in the novel was as discontinuous as its narrative form (and typically I'm a sucker for the epistolary/diary-like format that predominates in this one). It may be because my attention wavered too much over a rather protracted reading period, or it may be that in Kingsolver's historical fiction the former term seems to dominate the latter so much that I never quite warmed to Harrison Shepherd the way I should have in a novel with this kind of density. Still, the scenes in Mexico resonate and the novel's preoccupations communicate interestingly with our post-9/11 political landscape and our current immigration debates, and I sense that if I read the novel again in other circumstances it all might come up differently. "

" This is pure Barbara Kingsolver. She manages to merge society, nature, and history in such a way that while getting lost in the plot, the reader suddenly remembers that some of the characters actually existed in real life. A joyous ride through the Mexican countryside--and beyond. "

" I loved it. The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver opened new doors for me. "

" Wow! I'm only giving it 4 stars because it was difficult to read, but it should get 5 stars for being thought-provoking. Makes me feel naive to have thought the world is in more of a mess than ever today. It's always been in a mess. Is it destined to stay that way? I hope not. "

" I didn't like this book. I was disappointed with the style. I loved the Poisonwood Bible. I didn't like the diary style it was written in. There was no depth to it. It was boring. I can not recommend this book. "

" Not my favorite of Barbara Kingsolver's books. Seemed so fresh at the beginning, but dragged at the end. Of course, the main character's life got progressively more stagnant and sad, so a dragging feelings is also appropriate. "

" Interesting book, but somewhat boring in parts. "

" I liked Poisonwood Bible, so I thought I would try this one. There just wasn't enough there to keep me going. I only made it about 1/3 of the way through and I kept forgetting I was reading it. Bad sign. "

" Barbara Kingsolver - great author. Well done, amazing plot twist at the end. "

" Really boring at first but worth it at the end. "

" I didn't like it so I'm putting it down. "

" I figured I would adore this book, since Barbara Kingsolver is my favorite author. But honestly, I just found it boring. I only read about half of it before giving up. it was well written; I just didn't care about the characters and didn't find the story very interesting. "

" A well-written story set in Mexico and in South Carolina that gives insight to the life, art and politics of Diego Rivera and Frieda Kahlo,and much more, through the eyes of a young boy turned author. "

" History woven into fiction. A fascinating story about some vibrant characters. "

" I love Barbara Kingsolver, but honestly this only receives two stars because she is wonderful writer. I couldn't even finish this one and that's rare for me. I couldn't engage with the characters and ultimately gave up. "

" Barbara Kingsolver never lets me down with her writing. This book is one to savor and enjoy, especially if you like historical novels. "

" Hated this. Very disappointed after all the Kingsolver books I've enjoyed. "

" DNF: I know I'm in the minority here, but even with Kingsolver's considerable talent, this just had no charm through part 3 on audio (no idea how many pages that would be, my guess is thousands...) "

" great historical fiction book. the book follows the life of HARRISON SHEPHERD, who becomes friend with Frida Kahlo, and then becomes a writer in the United States. the way the story is writen is great "

" if I had been reading this I am not sure I would have finished. but listening to Barbara kingsolver read her book was enjoyable. the last part really showed the ridiculous but frightening times of the mccarthy era. what is especially scares me is that we seem to be headed that way again. "

" Not nearlly as good as her previous works that I have read. "

" My 2nd favorite book of Barbara Kingsolver, following The Poisonwood Bible. It had a little bit of a lot of things....History of Mexico, Freida & Diego, Trotsky, an absent father and a boy who grows up in the midst of all of these things. "

" I'd highly recommend The Lacuna. It's the sort of book that sends you to the encyclopaedia afterwards to look up the real life characters, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Leon Trotsky. Will Shepherd is a sympathetic character and I got very involved in his life and cared what happened to him. "

" I'm just glad I finally finished it. This is joyless and I had no affinity with any of the characters. The MacCarthy era section was OK but the rest was dreary and unstructured. Seems you either love this or hate it - guess which camp I'm in "

" Kind of boring. Only made it to page 78 and then gave up. I loved The Poisonwood Bible and I love Frida Kahlo, and magical/mystical stories, but this was not keeping my attention. "

" Halfway through this long book. I've just seen an exhibition of the two Mexican artists and that really made it all feel more personal. Barbara has a light touch "

" I don't find it as rewarding as The Poisonwood Bible. However, I'm going to persevere for a few more chapters! "

" Not your typical Barbara Kingsolver, (although I also like your typical Barbara Kingsolver). Interesting Character study. Set in the heyday of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. "

" Harrison Shepard I am going to miss you. A beautifully written story of a boy growing up and how innocent jobs taken to survive leads to life lived under the watchful eye of the FBI and the United States Congress. A great way to learn history. "