The Lacuna
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What do you think is the most difficult novel written by Barbara Kingsolver?
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Gordon
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Jan 07, 2014 05:47AM
I’ve read Prodigal Summer, The Lacuna and The poisonwood Bible. I find The poisonwood Bible is the most difficult to read, especially for a foreigner. What do you think?
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Have only read The Lacuna by her and it bored me to tears so I haven't tried any more.
The Poisonwood Bible was highly lauded but it was difficult for me to connect with. I truly loved Prodigal Summer, the Bean Trees, Pigs in Heaven and enjoyed Flight Behavior. The Lacuna appealed to me because of the subject matter, characters and locales, but it was a challenge to slog through at times. I wish editors were more assertive in several good but overly wordy novels in recent years.
As a native English speaker, I think The Lacuna might the most difficult read; the language is sometimes more formal and there seems to be more "distance" between the narration and the characters' emotions.Linda, although I really enjoyed The Lacuna, I wouldn't consider it typical of Kingsolver's work -- do try The Bean Trees or Poisonwood before you give up on her!
Flight Behavior is on my to-read list.
A lot of people have recommended The Poisonwood Bible to me Hillary. However it will be at the bottom of my massive TBR list as I don't want to give up on her entirely. Thanks for the tip though. X
I think that "The Poisonwood Bible" was the easier read but I loved "The Lacuna" for Kingsolver's use of history and for the very creative ending. I now have a real interest in Freda Kalo's art for this reason.
I have always loved the art of Frida Kahlo Robin, which is why I started The Lacuna. However I did not enjoy the book at all. On a seperate note the biog. Of Frida by Hayden Herrera is an excellent read.
Thanks, Linda. I will check this out.
Personally, I thought The Poisonwood Bible was tricky until I read The Lacuna. I hugely admire Kingsolver's ability to write the way she does. I love a difficult read, I love the challenge.
No one has mentioned Kingsolver's book of essays called Small Wonder... I realize the question was about "novels" but I would think that some of these essays, too, were hard to write. There is something in that book for everyone. I love the way she writes and the way she looks at things. Small Wonder starts out with essays on nature, but ends with many essays that are much more personal. I loved it!
I don't find Kingsolver difficult to read, but her novels are so dense that I just can't stop thinking about them after I've finished-- which is my favorite thing about reading! "Poisonwood" and "Lacuna" are both on my Top 20 of All Time List. "Prodigal Summer" I liked, but it was more science-y, so I wasn't as excited about it. "Flight Behavior" might be Kingsolver's most accessible novel, so I'd recommend that for someone who wants an introduction to her.
Oh dear, thought I might give this one a go but after reading the blurb have regretfully decided to let Ms Kingsolver and myself go our seperate ways.
That's a shame, because her writing is lovely. So many books, so little time!
Exactly Missy. I find if you can't get on with an author or book then best to move on, life is too short to waste it on something you're not enjoying.
The Lacuna was the most difficult read for me personally, but that is because I am not used to this style of writing. Not to say it isn't good writing; because it is. Just a difficult read in my opinion.That being said, I found the Poisonwood Bible a fascinating read. I literally could not put it down even on the second read.
The Lacuna. I enjoyed it although it was difficult. The Bean Trees and Prodigal Summer are my favorite.
Jeffrey wrote: "The Lacuna"was the most difficult though I admired Kingsolver for taking on some difficult topics. I recently read Flight Behavior which tackled Global Climate Change in an interesting fashion.
Yes, The Bean Trees and Pigs in Heaven (both use the same characters) are probably her most accessible and also they stayed with me a long time.I agree with Hillary - The Lacuna is not typical of Kingsolver's writing, but I have to say that one of the things I admire about her is that she does continue to write different kinds of novels.
Another favorite of mine, although it is not a novel, is HOLDING THE LINE, which is a reporting of how a 1980s strike in an Arizona copper mine affected the women in the small town when they made the decision to defy the injunction and walk the picket line that their on-strike husbands were not permitted to.
This discussion reminds me that I want to reread The Poisonwood Bible. I think that much of that writing and its inferences escaped me on the first go round. However, I read and remember Lacuna very well and loved it. It was more historical and political which added to its complexity. Love Frida Kahlo.
The Poisonwood Bible was brilliant because of the alternating chapter voices the author used- four children of different ages and their mother, plus the very interesting history of the Congo- close enough in time that some of us lived through it. I keep meaning to reread it too.
Two minds think alike Silvio111. Thanks.
Robin Well maybe it is time for me to finally reread it! Thanks for the incentive.
First I have to get through the last 500 pages of a biography oh Alexander Hamilton, which I was spurred to read because I am unable to go see the new Hip Hop Broadway musical, "Hamilton." One road leads to another!
Sounds fascinating. Keep at it.
The Lacuna. Which at the end I thought quite amazing in total, but was hard to get through at times. Almost quit reading it at times.I enjoyed the way it made the history of the time come alive. I think the title (Lacuna) refers to the gap between our (and the public in general's) perception of truth, and the actual truth.
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