The Lacuna in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Nov 02, 2009 Nadine in NY Jones rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 100-best-of-21st-c, fiction, womens-day

A book to be savored, page-by-page, at your leisure. I had a hard time rushing through this to finish it by the library's due date. At first, it seems like it's not going to be very interesting or engaging, but have faith, the story will unfold and become very satisfying. Much of the story is a not very subtle comparison between our present-day politics and the situation during the World Wars and after. (Interestingly, the story is about a fictional author who writes books that are not very subt ...more

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Nov 06, 2009 Lydia Presley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, historic-fiction, fiction

I have a confession to make. I didn't know most of the names this book was about. Serves me right - I should have read the back of the book, no?

Not only that.. this was a "steak" of a book. Generally when I read, I read dessert books or nice, comforting bread-type books. It's very rare I pick up a book and have to actually chew my way through it. Does that mean I didn't enjoy it? Not at all. Just.. that I finished it late on Monday and am still processing my thoughts on it.

Here is what I can tel ...more

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Nov 09, 2009 Ann rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I have read every fiction book Kingsolver has written, and a few of her nonfictions as well. I looked forward to this book but it was highly disappointing. It lacked focus in so many ways! It is the story of Harrison Shepard, a half-Mexican half-American fictional famous author, and it follows his life from the time he's twelve until the very end. His life is marked by famous people (Diego Rivera, Frieda Kahlo, Trotsky) and famous events (WWII, McCarthyism, etc.) but he is not an interesting cha ...more

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May 10, 2011 Amy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I selected 4 stars but really 3.5. My first Kingsolver book and I enjoyed it but I more liked the topics explored (Totsky, Frida and Diego, McCarthyism) more then the actual book.

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Oct 09, 2011 Julianne Dunn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book is exquisite. Beautifully written and a compelling story. I loved how the hero's life weaves through some of the most notorious people in history. ...more

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Dec 14, 2009 Melanie rated it did not like it · review of another edition

I was a huge fan of The Poisonwood Bible, so I was pretty bummed that I didn't like this book much. The actual writing in the book was beautiful at times; however, the story was very lackluster. The characters were just not very engaging which was not a good thing considering this book was pretty much character driven. ...more

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