The Lacuna
Deluxe Modern Classic
📘 About This Book
New York Times Bestseller • A Best Book of the Year: New York Times, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Times, and Kansas City Star • Winner of the Orange Prize “Breathtaking. . . dazzling.” — New York Times Book Review “Epic and deeply personal. . . . This is thought-provoking, and potentially thought-changing, historical fiction at its best.” — Dallas Morning News In this powerfully imagined, provocative novel, Barbara Kingsolver, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and recipient of the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguish Contribution to American Letters, takes us on an epic journey from the Mexico of artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo to the America of Pearl Harbor, FDR, and J. Edgar Hoover. The Lacuna is the poignant story of a man pulled between two nations as well as an unforgettable portrait of the artist—and of art itself. Born in the United States, raised in Mexico, Harrison Shepherd lacks a sense of home in either. Life is whatever he learns from housekeepers who put him to work in the kitchen; from errands he runs in the streets; and, one fateful day, by mixing plaster for famed Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. He discovers a passion for Aztec history and the exotic, imperious artist Frida Kahlo, who will become his lifelong friend. When he goes to work for Lev Trotsky, an exiled political leader fighting for his life, Shepherd inadvertently casts his lot with art and revolution, newspaper headlines and howling gossip, and a risk of terrible violence. Meanwhile, to the north, the United States will soon be caught up in the internationalist goodwill of World War II. There, in the land of his birth, Shepherd believes he might remake himself in America’s hopeful image and claim a voice of his own. Through darkening years, political winds continue to toss him between north and south in a plot that turns many times on the unspeakable breach—the lacuna—between truth and public presumption. With deeply compelling characters, a vivid sense of place, and a clear grasp of how history and public opinion can shape a life, Kingsolver has created a rich and daring work of literature, establishing its author as one of the most provocative and important of her time.
📖 Summary
The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver is an expansive and deeply personal historical fiction novel that spans tumultuous decades and crosses international borders. The narrative follows the life of Harrison William Shepherd, a man caught between two very different worlds, moving from the vibrant and politically charged atmosphere of Mexico to the paranoid, conformist climate of the United States during the mid-twentieth century. As an individual navigating a life defined by displacement and observation, Shepherd finds himself intimately connected to some of the most influential and volatile historical figures of the era. Set against a vivid backdrop, the story immerses readers in the legendary household of renowned artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. In this creative and dangerous environment, Shepherd works as a cook and secretary, observing firsthand the intersection of art, politics, and revolution. He bears witness to the passionate lives and radical ideas of these cultural icons, absorbing the artistic fervor and political turmoil that characterizes Mexico during this period. These experiences shape his inner world, fueling his own artistic and literary impulses while leaving him vulnerable to the shifting tides of history. As the narrative progresses, the scene shifts dramatically to the United States. Here, Shepherd must navigate a starkly contrasting cultural landscape defined by the shadow of Pearl Harbor, the leadership of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the oppressive, suspicion-fueled era of J. Edgar Hoover and the House Un-American Activities Committee. The novel explores the dangerous intersection of art, politics, and government surveillance, showing how easily a life can be upended by political paranoia and public hysteria. Shepherd becomes a man pulled between two nations, struggling to find his identity and a sense of safety in a world that demands absolute conformity and ideological allegiance. Throughout this epic journey, Kingsolver weaves a complex meditation on truth, memory, and the unspoken spaces in a life, which are the lacunae of the title. The novel investigates how history is recorded, manipulated, and remembered by those in power versus those who live through it. Through richly detailed prose and a profound understanding of human vulnerability, the book delivers a sweeping narrative that examines the heavy toll of political extremism, the enduring power of art, and the universal search for belonging in a divided world.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Masterful blending of epic historical events with deeply personal narratives.
Vivid and immersive depictions of mid-century Mexico and the United States.
Thought-provoking exploration of political paranoia and freedom of expression.
Richly developed characters connected to real historical figures.
⚠️ Cons
The extensive historical and political context can feel dense for some readers.
The pacing shifts significantly as the protagonist moves between countries.
✍️ About the Author
Barbara Kingsolver (b. 1955) is an American author known for socially conscious novels exploring nature and social justice, including 'The Poisonwood Bible' and the Pulitzer Prize-winning 'Demon Copperhead'.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Who is the author of The Lacuna? +
The book was written by Barbara Kingsolver.
When was The Lacuna published? +
It was published in 2009.
What major historical figures appear in the story? +
The novel features artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, as well as political figures like FDR and J. Edgar Hoover.
What awards has the book won? +
The Lacuna is a New York Times bestseller and a winner of the Orange Prize.
How many pages long is the novel? +
The book spans 549 pages.
