About this title: In her first novel in nine years, "New York Times"-bestselling author Kingsolver tells the story of Harrison William Shepherd, an unforgettable protagonist whose search for identity takes readers to the heart of the 20th century's most tumultuous events.
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Description: New. Please note that deliveries to addresses in the UK and Europe will be in 4-14 business days. Other countries should refer to Alibris standard times. ISBN10: 057125263X. read more
Description: New. Please note that deliveries to addresses in the UK and Europe will be in 4-14 business days. Other countries should refer to Alibris standard times. ISBN10: 0571252648. read more
Edition: 1st printing (full number line) 1st edition (stated)
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Harper
Date published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780060852573ISBN:0060852577
Description: New in new dust jacket. 1st edition 1st printing. New from publisher. Not a remainder. This book is not defaced or marked as a publisher's discarded copy. First edition. Glued binding. Paper over boards. With dust jacket. 507 p. Audience: General/trade. New from publisher. Not a remainder. This book is not defaced or marked as a publisher's discarded copy. read more
Edition: Large type / large print.
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Harperluxe
Date published: 2009-11-03
ISBN-13:9780061927560ISBN:0061927562
Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780061927560. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Harper, NY
Date published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780060852573ISBN:0060852577
Description: 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. Signed by Author on Bookplate First edition, first prnt. Signed by Kingsolver on the publisher's bookplate affixed to the half-title page. One of an unspecified number of copies as such. Unread copy in Fine condition in a Fine dustjacket with an archival cover. Actual image of the book; not a stock photo. read more
Edition: TRUE First Edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780060852573ISBN:0060852577
Description: New in new dust jacket. Signed by author. First Print. Signed in person by the author directly on the FULL title page not inscribed, clipped or otherwise marked. Brand new and unread only opened for author signature, DJ in Mylar. read more
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: HarperCollins, New York
Date published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780060852573ISBN:0060852577
Description: As New in As New jacket. Signed by Author Signed by Author on title page-Signature only First edition, First printing. With corresponding number line. Book is in Fine condition. Boards are clean, not bumped. Interior is clean and legible. Not remaindered. Dust Jacket is in Fine condition. Not price clipped. Is covered by Mylar Brodart. All-ways well boxed, All-ways fast service. Thanks. read more
Edition: First Edition, 1st Printing
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Harper / HarperCollins, New York, New York
Date published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780060852573ISBN:0060852577
Description: As New in As New jacket. Signed by Author Fine. Signed by Barbara Kingsolver on the title page. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, New York City, NY
Date published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780060852573ISBN:0060852577
Description: Signed by Author. Hardcover. First Edition. First Printing. 510 pages. As New in As New Dust Jacket. The author's fourth novel. One of the most important literary events of the year 2009, it is destined to be a contemporary classic. The First Hardcover Edition. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions, particularly copies signed on the publisher's bookplate. Presents Barbara Kingsolver's "most mature and ambitious novel. It's also her most demanding. Spanning three ... read more
"An interwoven tale that starts off slow and uniquely in Mexico but eventually entwines you in the story until the unexpected ending - which I loved. Historical fiction. Having recently read the biography "Frida" (ok, I actually skimmed it and the condensed version with photos for my book club, but I watched the movie Frida:) I liked the way Kingsolver used the information about the life of Frida, Diego and Trotsky in her story. It felt accurate without feeling like she was making history up which often happens with historical fiction. I loved the way Kingsolver sublty uses the history of WWII and McCarthyism to provide a parallel to today's War on Terror without once actually mentioning today's politics or war. I love the line at end of the book where the main character recognizes that he did have "a great and true love" however unconventional that love was. If only more people were open minded in life, it would be a better place. Strange how the power of the pen can destroy lives at anytime in history. Reading this book makes me wonder how I can meet more friends in life that think like Kingsolver or for that matter Julie Powell of the Julie and Julia project. What do you do? Put an add on a website: "seeking liberal, fun, creative, intellectual, outdoors type friend." I want to be friends with so many of the authors that I read. Why is that not possible? Or maybe it is...that is the point of this book and the Julie and Julia project...find your opportunity, seize it and make it your reality. So maybe that will be my next goal in life. Find cool friends in Austin. I have so many in other parts of the country but I need them where I live."
"OK, this is an important book. The hero states, "The most important part of a story is the piece of it you don't know." Good words to remember and learn from and live by. This is a big book. It wraps its arms around many big topics and does them all justice. This book tells a good story. It was a page-turner and I didn't want it to end. This book let me peek into another culture Mexico -- early 20th C and ancient)and it spent some time exploring modern art. This book dragged me through the horrid Committee on Un-American Activities period which I wouldn't have explored on my own. But when Kingsolver shows the inner workings of the anti-communist movement from two opposing points of view it was fascinating. Kingsolver has not yet failed to disappoint. Again, she played with speech which is always fun. I think Kingsolver's "The Poisonwood Bible" knocked me back on my heels more than "The Lacuna" but I've learned more from this book and if I can remember that "the most important part of a story is the piece of it you don't know" I'll be a better person."
"I usually love Kingsolver's books but I was disappointed with Lacuna. Part of Kingsolver's talent is making you feel like you know her characters and while there was some of that in the beginning and end of The Lacuna, the middle just seemed to drag.
The portion on Trotsky living in Mexico seemed especially weak. From reading the book you would think that Trotsky simply wanted to create a socialist democracy in Russia and if he hadn't been chased from Russia by Stalin, we would have had some sort of Democratic socialist utopia there--I think our real history paints a much more complicated picture than that.
I also think the characterizations of Frida and Rivera were weak, contrary to Kingsolver's other works, I found that I really didn't care about either one of them.
The old Kingsolver was apparent early in the book in the development of the protagonist's mother who I thought was one of the more interesting people in the book. The same is true with Violet Brown who we meet in the last third of the book.
There were interesting devices in the book, the protagonist ended up being an author and The Lacuna includes fictional reviews and fictional reactions to his published books and I am sure these were influenced by Kingsolver's perceptions of the reviews and reactions to her own books
Anyway, I found the book to be "ok", but not as interesting or as well written as her earlier works such as Posionwood Bible"
"It is snowing, snowing heavily, so I spent the evening finishing Barbara Kingsolver's new book, The Lacuna. What a beautiful story! The book is about so many things, I find it hard to narrow it down to a simple book recommendation. Harrison Shepherd, the shy, articulate narrator holds the book together. When young, he goes to Mexico with his mother after she divorces his father. There he lives with Rivera and Kahlo, artists of the time and cooks for their friend Trotsky who was in hiding from Stalin. I love stories where history is made understandable and new insight emerges. Thus it was.
Later Shepherd fled to the US to write novels and was caught in the net of the House of Unamerican activities Hearings. The fear and frustration of the time is laid bare. The scenes are moving and I leave the book still wrapped in its story.
A great novel, well researched and steeped in the imagination and beauty of Kingsolver. it starts slowly, so don't give up in the beginning."
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