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The Lacuna

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The Lacuna

By: Barbara Kingsolver
Narrated by: Barbara Kingsolver
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About this listen

Born in the US and reared in Mexico, Harrison Shepherd is a liability to his social-climbing mother, Salome. When a violent incident sends him to North Carolina, he remakes himself in America's hopeful image. But political winds continue to throw him between north and south, in a plot that turns many times on the unspeakable breach - the lacuna - between truth and public presumption.

©2009 Barbara Kingsolver (P)2009 Harper Collins Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction Heartfelt

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An interesting story line and the book deals with some important historical issues, but I found the very full and detailed descriptions of characters and places too much for me. If you want to remain in, and savour the moment, this type of writing is for you. Also I don't deal too well with the Americanisms, maybe, I as an English person, would do better to physically read rather than listen to the author as I need more time to absorb how this undoubtedly erudite author tells her tale. I feel I want to know what she has to say but I cannot bear the wait.
I did however enjoy the ending and the fact that she really makes you think about the difference between reality and public perception and how the latter is manipulated and by whom.

Maybe not a writer for me

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Thought provoking - How words / stories can be used powerfully for good or twisted for bad. Barbara Kingsolver tells a story linking USA Mexico and communism Powerful true historical characters all connected by a quiet observer and habitual recorder, fictional -Harrison Shepherd.
Post war fear and misinformation in USA post war believed by the masses makes outcasts of the innocent So much can be reflected today and perhaps every period of history.

The power of words.

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What a pity that the author chose to narrate this novel. She is not an actor and her reading is stilted and monotonous. I did not even finish listening to the first part - the narration was a barrier to listen to the story. The story itself was of limited appeal with little character development. This is a pity because Kingsolver came highly recommended.

Authors are not actors

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I absolutely adore this book. I have read it previously with great enjoyment but really appreciated listening to it again. This version is read by Barbara Kingsolver herself. She reads wonderfully and has a very evocative voice ;she makes the characters really come alive. Barbara has a melodious voice and her accent adds to the richness of the listening experience. There is no comparison with versions of her novels that have been read by some one else.I will now only buy Barbara Kingsolver audio books she has read herself. This is fabulous.I have recommended it to my friends

The Lacuna

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I really enjoyed this complex, flowing story and wasn't put off by the narration. Can't wait to listen to the Deadwood Bible.

Very enjoyable book

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What a shame that a literary, historically interesting book is spoiled by low quality narration. I normally find audible narration of a very high quality. This book has simply been read on one note. There is absolutely no characterisation and the result is soporific at best. This is my last purchase of a brilliant novelist on audible due to the narrator.

Lovely writing. Terrible narration

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Strangely enough, the fact that the writer herself narrated the novel was an attraction for me. She also read one of her earlier novels (Prodigal Summer) herself, and I enjoy her narration very much. Yes, you can tell she's not a professional reader and her evocation of one or two of the characters not perfect, but for me this is more than compensated for when she describes the natural world; flowers, plants, birds, insects, animals, landscapes. And for me her evocation of early twentieth century Mexico was wonderful; the heat, colours, food and people. I find her voice with its gentle Southern US lilt very soothing and enjoyable to listen to. The subject matter itself made for a great story and has made me want to learn more about the relationship between Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo and their work.

Well, I like her voice!

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19 hours and 14 minutes. Was that really all? It felt longer.
Yes, the parts about Mexico were interesting. Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, well, you learned a little of them, and of Trotsky.
And descriptions of post-war America and racial neuroses were shocking - mirrored in the Trump administration of today.
But OH the tedium of the main character, and of his secretary - their thoughts, lives, dreams.
Barbara Kingsolver wrote a brilliant book in The Poisonwood Bible. What happened here??
And she should not read her own books aloud to an audience.
Not recommended.

Oh thank goodness it is FINISHED

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This book was recommended to me by a friend. For the first couple of chapters, I didn't think I was going to like it and then it took off!

I have listened to so many fabulous books since joining Audible, but this is one of my favourites.
The way in which Barbara Kingsolver narrates her own words is precise and hypnotising and her range of different voices for the characters really made the story come to life for me.
I AM IN LOVE WITH VIOLET BROWN!
I loved her voice and her choice of words and the gentle love and kindness that she showed to Harrison.
The range of subjects in this book was incredible, I learnt a lot about Frida, Diego and Lev Trotsky and whilst I had heard about the Communism 'witch hunt' in America, this book really brought the paranoia to life.
Such a great tale, I loved it!

Such an Interesting, Beautiful Book.

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I love most of Kingsolver’s writing… but this book just didn’t do anything for me. I frequently lost concentration and realised I’d missed 30mins or so of the story, but didn’t care enough to go back and listen again. I made it to the end, and enjoyed the final episodes more than the rest of the book. I really like hearing this author read her own work… so that was a strong plus point for me.

Mostly reads like a long history lesson

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