On Barbara Kingsolver's "The Lacuna": **NO SPOILERS**

[Brigid]

Read it. It gets off to a slow, rather confusing start, but be patient; it's worth it. It is set in Mexico and Asheville NC. The story is told through letters, diaries, newspaper articles, and other documents. Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Lev Trotsky are among the historical figures who appear. Fascinating conversations between characters and stinging one-liners abound. Loved it!

[femmocrat]

1. Thanks! I have been looking for a good book.

And I actually have it here! I bought a big stack of books when our local bookstore went out of business.

[Brigid]

2. Start it.

But like I said, be patient with the beginning. I almost put it aside myself, but I'm glad I didn't.

[Warpy]

3. I'm reading my way through Eduardo Galeano's books

He has quite a different take on human history and a wonderful, wry wit.

If you like the often non liner, Native American fiction, you'll probably like Galeano.

[TexasProgresive]

4. Read it, loved it, recommend it!

I read at least 3 of Ms Kingsolver's books and all 3 added to my life. Looking at her site, make that 4; The Bean Trees, Pigs in Heaven, The Poisonwood Bible and The Lacuna. I would recommend any of her books even if I hadn't read them- she is a gifted writer. And this quote from her site really says what I believe about fiction:
The writing of fiction is a dance between truth and invention.” — Barbara Kingsolver
Back about the Lacuna- my Dad spent a lot of time in Mexico as a youth and was present close by with one of the violent incidents concerning Leon Trotsky. Don't want to spoil it for anyone-hope I didn't.

[Brainstormy]

7. If you're at all into audiobooks

hers are all on Audible. She narrates them herself. Her voice is lovely and she does a masterful job.

[TexasProgresive]

8. Thanks, I love audiobooks. I will seriously look into hers.

Am I the only man on this thread? There are some outstanding women writers but I wonder is a lot of men just can't bring themselves to read books written by a woman.

[Brainstormy]

9. Not sure

but that would be sad. and silly. (And I'm pretty sure you're not the only man on the thread. ) Lots of men in the writing forum, for sure.

[xchrom]

5. du rec.

[Brainstormy]

6. I adored it!

The way I've been pushing it on other readers and my family you'd think I'm getting a commission. Nobody writes better than Kingsolver. But I have to tell you, I thought Flight Behavior, which is really about climate change and the disappearance of the monarch butterfly is even better. She's an amazing novelist.

[Zorra]

10. Yes. A masterpiece. I've read everything available that she's written, several of her books twice,

and believe that The Poisonwood Bible is her best work, but with some close seconds, including The Lacuna.

She is a national treasure, and one of the best American authors ever.