The Lacuna

By: Barbara Kingsolver

Narrated by: Barbara Kingsolver

New York Times Bestseller • A Best Book of the Year: New York Times, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Times, and Kansas City Star • Winner of the Orange Prize

“Breathtaking. . . dazzling.” — New York Times Book Review

“Epic and deeply personal. . . . This is thought-provoking, and potentially thought-changing, historical fiction at its best.” — Dallas Morning News

In this powerfully imagined, provocative novel, Barbara Kingsolver, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and recipient of the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguish Contribution to American Letters, takes us on an epic journey from the Mexico of artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo to the America of Pearl Harbor, FDR, and J. Edgar Hoover. The Lacuna is the poignant story of a man pulled between two nations as well as an unforgettable portrait of the artist—and of art itself.

Born in the United States, raised in Mexico, Harrison Shepherd lacks a sense of home in either. Life is whatever he learns from housekeepers who put him to work in the kitchen; from errands he runs in the streets; and, one fateful day, by mixing plaster for famed Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. He discovers a passion for Aztec history and the exotic, imperious artist Frida Kahlo, who will become his lifelong friend. When he goes to work for Lev Trotsky, an exiled political leader fighting for his life, Shepherd inadvertently casts his lot with art and revolution, newspaper headlines and howling gossip, and a risk of terrible violence.

Meanwhile, to the north, the United States will soon be caught up in the internationalist goodwill of World War II. There, in the land of his birth, Shepherd believes he might remake himself in America’s hopeful image and claim a voice of his own. Through darkening years, political winds continue to toss him between north and south in a plot that turns many times on the unspeakable breach—the lacuna—between truth and public presumption.

With deeply compelling characters, a vivid sense of place, and a clear grasp of how history and public opinion can shape a life, Kingsolver has created a rich and daring work of literature, establishing its author as one of the most provocative and important of her time.

©2009 Barbara Kingsolver; (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Another top choice for me

I like everything this author writes and I enjoyed her reading as well. Loved the US history inclusion, especially because I experienced a lot of it first hand, The use of Mexican adages ( so old the earth was still warm) and the charming Appalachian accent of the secretary added to the overall depth of this highly enjoyable novel.

Fabulous!

I loved this book. I think Kingsolver may be the most gifted writer of our time, and I was enchanted to hear her reading this wonderful new novel herself. Her gift for protraying different voices, most evident in Poisonwood Bible, is evident here, and carries through into her terrific speaking for this panoply of characters. I find Ms Kingsolver to be every bit as much a force of nature as the wonderful Frida Kahlo she portrays so richly in this beautiful new book.

The Lacuna

I liked the story but the authors narration was distracting to me. I thought it might have been better to have more than one person narrating. There was not enough difference between the voices of the characters Either male or female, they sounded the same. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if I had read it rather than listen to it.

An Absorbing Story

I loved this book and Kingsolver's narration. The story of a half American boy growing up in revolutionary Mexico and then caught up in the McCarthy Era kept my attention throughout, as long as it is. Not all authors are successful as readers of their audio books, but Kingsolver certainly is in this case. Her voice is easy to listen to, and the way she uses accents clearly distinguishes the various voices and points of view in the story. Immediately upon finishing, I started again at the beginning. A great companion for this book is The Hummingbird's Daughter, also narrated by its author, Luis Urrea. It takes place in the period of history preceding the time of The Lacuna. I've already listened to that book 3 times, but this one makes me want to go back to The Hummingbird's Daughter and read straight through to the end of the Lacuna. Both highly recommended, especially because of the view into the culture and history of Mexico.

Great story

This was a great story. It was pleasant to listen to, moved forward, connected its various parts, and had interesting characters and different settings. It had just enough tidbits of history to appease my interest without being dry. The ending was satisfying.