The Lacuna: A Novel (P.S.)
1 journaler for this copy...
Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorite authors, but I think she missed with mark with her latest novel, "The Lacuna." It's well crafted and technically there is nothing wrong with it, however, it managed to come across as painfully dull. It's filled with plenty of exciting moments and should tackles grand themes, but the entire time the novel feels too lifeless and contrived.
The protagonist of the story is Harrison Shepard, who is born in America, but soon spirited off to his mother's native country of Mexico. The book is told primarily through Shepard's diary entries, as he lives both in American and Mexico, never quite feeling at home in either country. The book also weaves in Historical figures, such as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. One of the biggest themes in the book is art and why both Mexico and America have different views on what is allowed in art. How can a country that idealizes freedom, be so repressive when it comes to art and artist? The book spans many years and many Historical events such as the Great Depression, WW2 and McCarthyism.
It feels like everything regarding this novel should add to to make it fantastic. It actually did win the Orange Prize and has garnered many wonderful reviews. However, I felt that it was lacking emotion. I could not connect to the story or the characters and it made reading the novel a very tedious task.
The protagonist of the story is Harrison Shepard, who is born in America, but soon spirited off to his mother's native country of Mexico. The book is told primarily through Shepard's diary entries, as he lives both in American and Mexico, never quite feeling at home in either country. The book also weaves in Historical figures, such as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. One of the biggest themes in the book is art and why both Mexico and America have different views on what is allowed in art. How can a country that idealizes freedom, be so repressive when it comes to art and artist? The book spans many years and many Historical events such as the Great Depression, WW2 and McCarthyism.
It feels like everything regarding this novel should add to to make it fantastic. It actually did win the Orange Prize and has garnered many wonderful reviews. However, I felt that it was lacking emotion. I could not connect to the story or the characters and it made reading the novel a very tedious task.