The Bottom Line
The Lacuna follows the life of Harrison Shepherd, a boy with an American father and Mexican mother who grows up in both countries, from 1929 - 1951. Although The Lacuna is presented as Shepherd's diaries and letters, he is not a very strong character in the novel. Indeed, The Lacuna is much more about what is happening in the world around Shepherd as he works for real historical figures. The history presented in The Lacuna is interesting, but the lack of intimacy and impetus in the main character makes the novel drag a little.
Pros
- 'The Lacuna' makes history feel personal and interesting.
Cons
- The novel lacks a central force to move it forward.
Description
- 'The Lacuna' by Barbara Kingsolver was published in November 2009
- Publisher: HarperCollins
- 528 Pages
Guide Review - 'The Lacuna' by Barbara Kingsolver - Book Review
I liked The Lacuna mainly for the history it taught me and what it revealed about the actions of the U.S. government during the Great Depression and McCarthyism. I will admit up front that I am not a history student, and I knew nothing about Leon Trotsky, Diego Rivera or Frida Kahlo before reading The Lacuna. I found the novel to be an interesting way of learning about these figures and the history of Communism in Mexico. Although The Lacuna prompted me to do a little bit more Internet research on this area of history, I still do not feel confident saying whether Kingsolver's portrait of their lives was accurate.
As a story about a character -- Harrison Shepherd -- the novel lacked something. I think he remained too distant throughout the novel for the reader to truly be invested in his life. Also, the novel made sudden shifts in time and place, and it was sometimes hard to get back into the story after one of these changes.
I would recommend The Lacuna to those interested in Mexico or 20th century American history. I can see it being a worthwhile read for a high school class or a book club that wants to discuss some of the themes Kingsolver raises in depth. It is not, however, Kingsolver's best story.
