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The Lacuna
June 2022: LGBT
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[+ WPF] The Lacuna / Barbara Kingsolver. 1 star
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I'm so sorry you didn't like it. I really liked this book. I know it's more difficult than her other books (especially Bean Trees). Secrecy is a major theme, and the writing is quite subtle and confusing at times - perhaps on purpose? It helped that I read it soon after I saw the movie Frida, so I was absolutely thrilled to read about someone spending time with the artist Frida Kahlo. She is such an exciting character. Trotsky was a surprisingly appealing character too. Later on, when he's back in America, he is living in fear of the McCarthy hearings. He was at risk because of his past contact with communists, but I think that he was even more afraid that people would find out that he was gay, and working as a teacher. That part was very suspenseful. I read this with a book club. We had a great discussion about the issues, and about the confusing parts of the book. I'm not sure if I've ever given 1 star before either, because I would have DNF'd the book first. I think it's useful to share these reviews within the group, but I don't think I've ever rated a book that I only partially read.
I read this with a group some years ago and opinions were mixed. It does assume you know something about those historical figures, and it also does move all over the place. The main character is a bit of a "lacuna" himself, which I think is deliberate. I liked it pretty well myself, but it's different from her usual books. If anything, in her other books, she tends to make her message overly obvious.Sorry you had a bad experience. My New Year's resolution for 2022 was to not finish any book I didn't like, even if it was for a group or a challenge.
Not my favorite from this author either. I gave it 2 stars, mostly just because I otherwise love Kingsolver!I really enjoyed learning more about the intersection between Trotsky and Frida Kahlo. I grew up in Detroit where Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera did a lot of their work.
I count Diego Rivera's murals in the Detroit Institute of Art as favorites, and also as a pure nostalgia throw back to childhood visits to the museum. They fill a gallery at the DIA - picture here is neat but doesn't really do it justice: https://www.dia.org/riveracourt
But I've gone far afield here - I love Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera's work, love Barabar Kingsolver. Really didn't like this book at all!
I personally loved this book and thought it brilliant. It is very unusual.
It must be one of those polarizing "love it or hate it" books. I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I do think it is helpful to have a background in some of the historical figures involved (especially Kahlo, Rivera & Trotsky).
Cindy, I hated it too. Might have given only one or two stars. I have known for a while how polarizing this book is.
OK - feel I need to vote here, too. I thought it was one of her best - but I enjoy political stuff and her use of real people in the book. Not willing to fight about it but we seem to have a like, dislike going on here so I vote wonderful. Whether you like the book or not, she is a wordsmith. peace, janz
Joy D wrote: "It must be one of those polarizing "love it or hate it" books. ..."I would agree with this. There are a lot of people who rated it highly (also evidenced by the comments here).
Also, take a look at the first page of tags. There are a LOT of people who have tagged it "unfinished" or "DNF" or some other variation, as well.
Yes, I see what you mean. It's one of "those" books. :-)
And I'm definitely in the Really Liked It group. But it's a book that demands attention, I think, and given all you've been dealing with lately, Cindy, I'm surprised you finished it.
I have never given 1 star before. This would have been my 3rd ever (I think – maybe 2nd) DNF if I wasn’t reading it for a challenge. As I do with books I’m not liking, I ended up skimming, hoping something would catch my attention, but it didn’t happen. Sadly, this is an author I usually like.