Reviews

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

cortneyhurley's review against another edition

adventurous challenging inspiring medium-paced

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

4.5

zoe42's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

elby3gc's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is the exact kind of book I like to read. Informative about many things, sparks my curiosity about the world (in this case McCarthyism and Frida Kahlo, with interesting thoughtful characters. I’m giving it a 4.5 mainly because I enjoyed reading it so much but also because I feel confident in recommending it to someone as a good book to read.

lexruthor's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective sad medium-paced

3.75

thisismeandme's review against another edition

informative slow-paced

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

2.0

nopunkintended's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

stan2long's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny informative mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Barbara Kingsolver’s got a talent for pure artistry of words. At times it seems she’s hidden a gem in every other sentence. The story line in this book is a complex mix of personal relationships over a lifetime, plus a factual and fictional blend of history. It’s a story about the evolution of a young writer Harrison Shepherd whose name is actually hard to find early in the narrative so without this information it’s a bit hard to know who is the main character. Timeline covers the 1920s through 1950s and moves between Mexico and eastern USA. I especially enjoyed the portrayals and character development of the 3 main women in his life: His mother. The feisty Ms. Freeda. The mysterious V. B. This book was read by the author and she was very good at multiple accents. Freeda gives him the Spanish nickname Insólito (sometimes shortened to “soli”) which might mean extraordinary or unexpected. The book is long so some patience is required, but extraordinary and unexpected describe it as well. Many timeless insights on life and society, often with humor. 

mmboo's review against another edition

trying this for a second time...

Couldn't finish it the second time either.

sylvanc's review against another edition

inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

musicsaves's review against another edition

5.0

FIRST LINE REVIEW: "In the beginning were the howlers." And in the end, too. Both real, metaphorical and in this reader. I howled with love for this book, not wanting it to end. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! Kingsolver continues to be one author I will gladly howl for!