The Lacuna

by Barbara Kingsolver
The Lacuna cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Historical Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 10664
  • Added: 2026-02-02
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9780571252657
  • Publisher: Faber & Faber
  • Published: 2009-11-05
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Born in America and raised in Mexico, Harrison Shepherd finds himself entangled in the lives of famous artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. His diaries capture the vivid and tumultuous events of the Mexican revolution, but political upheavals force him to navigate between two vastly different worlds. The Lacuna is a poignant exploration of identity, art, and the personal cost of historical forces. Set against the backdrop of the McCarthy era, the novel delves into the chilling effects of political paranoia and the struggle for artistic freedom. Through Shepherd's experiences, the story paints a vivid portrait of the artist and the enduring power of art itself. Readers have praised The Lacuna for its emotional depth and unforgettable narrative.

Reviews
DeeDi Reads · 2025-08-22
fantastic 4.50

The Lacuna is an incredible feat of a novel that weaves real people and events together with expert fictional character-building.

The reviewer praises the novel as an incredible feat, highlighting its seamless integration of real people and events with expertly crafted fictional characters. The narrative is compelling and well-structured, making it a standout read. The reviewer particularly appreciates the depth of the characters and the rich historical context. Overall, it's a highly engaging and well-executed novel that leaves a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    The Lacuna is an incredible feat of a novel.

    It weaves real people and events together with expert fictional character-building.

    The narrative is compelling and well-structured.

Granny Savidge Reads · Granny Savidge · 2010-09-15
excellent 5.00

This book is one of the top 5 of all time. It was a great work, couldn't put it down and cried when it was finished.

The reviewer absolutely loved this book, placing it among their top 5 of all time. They found it incredibly engaging and emotionally impactful, unable to put it down until the very end. The depth of the characters and the rich narrative made it a standout read for them. The reviewer was particularly moved by the conclusion, which left them with a deep sense of satisfaction and emotional resonance.

Quick quotes

    OMG. This book is one of my top 5 of ALL time.

    It was a great work, couldn't put it down and cried when it was finished.

    Loved all aspects of it.

The Guardian · 2009-11-07
good 3.00

This novel reveals a singular ambition. It probes, with only partial success, the source of the vexed historical relationship between art and politics.

The reviewer notes that this novel is highly ambitious, aiming to explore the complex relationship between art and politics. While they acknowledge the book's strengths, they also point out that it doesn't fully succeed in its probe. The narrative is rich and thought-provoking, but some aspects feel unfinished or underdeveloped. Overall, it's a commendable effort that offers valuable insights into historical and political themes.

Quick quotes

    This novel reveals a singular ambition.

    It probes, with only partial success, the source of the vexed historical relationship between art and politics.

    The real Lacuna is between our sense of the world as knowable and as unknowable.

The New York Times · Leslie Schillinger · 2009-11-05
delightful 4.00

The Lacuna can be enjoyed for the music of its passages on nature, archaeology, food, and friendship; or for its portraits of real and invented people.

They appreciate the lyrical quality of the passages on various themes such as nature, archaeology, food, and friendship. The novel's portraits of both real and fictional characters are particularly compelling, adding depth and richness to the story. They find the book to be a delightful read, with a focus on the beauty of language and the intricacies of human relationships.

Quick quotes

    The Lacuna can be enjoyed sheerly for the music of its passages on nature, archaeology, food and friendship.

    Its portraits of real and invented people are both captivating and insightful.

    The novel is a delightful read, with a focus on the beauty of language and the intricacies of human relationships.

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