The Lacuna: A Book Review

I'll start by saying that I don't think Barbara Kingsolver will ever write anything I don't love. I'll also say that I'm no good at writing book reviews. I have no idea how to fully portray the genius that is this book, but I think it's worth a read, so I'll try my best to convince you.

lacuna

1. A small opening; a small pit or depression; a small blank space; a gap or vacancy; a hiatus.
2. An absent part, especially in a book or other piece of writing, often referring to an ancient manuscript or similar.

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver twines it's way through decades of history (most of which I know very little about) through the gentle leading character "Shepherd". We follow him from his boyhood in Mexico in the 1920's through his writing career in the 1950's. The narrative is told from the perspective of his journals, which were impeccably kept and very detailed. Along the way "Shep's" life intersects with many famous and curious characters from history. This is perhaps my favorite part of the novel. His character is fascinating, but I saw him as more of a vessel for Kingsolver's most elaborate and telling history lesson of all time. The span of history alone is daunting, but she depicts some wonderfully colorful characters and weaves them into the story as if it were a work of non-fiction.

As always Kingsolver writes with the mission of social justice and this work may be more political than ever. Themes of sexuality, working class, artistic freedom, freedom of speech. To be honest, she covers just about every social issue I can think of. All through this quiet, isolated figure, Shepherd. He's the perfect vessel, really. He has a presence, but it's more about delivery than it is about him.

While reading this book I found Frida on Netflix and watched it for the second time. As I watched I found myself looking for Shepherd. I really wanted him to be real so that I could hold this intimate view of Kahlo, Rivera, Trotsky and even Hoover's FBI administration as truth. This novel definitely left me wanting to know more about it's history and wishing I could read the novels Shepherd becomes so famous for writing. I marveled at the issues presented and became fascinated with the idea of comparing them to things happening now, like social media and it's role in frenzied political rhetoric. It lit a fire.

In the end I thought about how we are all just people on a voyage. We seek truth, justice, equality and love. Why do politics have to be so divisive? I just want to live free and allow others to do the same.

Simplistic way of thinking? Maybe so.

It's Turn The Page Tuesday. If you're looking for your next book to read, and I haven't managed to convince you...visit Adrienne. Surely someone over there has read something you need to get your hands on.