The power of words.

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.

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Authors are not actors

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.

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4 people found this helpful

sad but true

Excellent story, great narration. learnt loads, esp. that there wasnt a time USA was 'great'

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An absolute joy

I loved this so much! An absolutely beautiful story of a boy who finds himself working as a cook in Diego Rivera's house in Mexico. He becomes friends with Frida Kahlo and Trotsky but that's not even the main story which is really about his journey to becoming an author during a crazy time in America where McCarthyists are trying to eradicate anyone who was critical of the government while the Polio epidemic is killing everyone else (I read this to distract me from current events, which is hilarious. It has a lot of resonance for the present times!) And the ending is perfection. Just completely lovely in every way.

I really enjoyed Barbara Kingsolver's narration- it's very clear and well paced and I liked her rendition of Mrs Brown, the secretary, a lot.

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2 people found this helpful

Exceptional history lesson

Everyone who wants to understand how the USA became a world power and what hurts USers had to endure to render them numb to the suffering of others should read this book! We often think that the victors in a war simply benefit from its spoils. That too is true but in addition to that, ordinary people in the US were so terrified by war (in this case WWII) that they ended up as helpless victims of their own government when it came after their own civil liberties. Masterful and insightful storytelling from Barbara Kingsolver - I have listened to every one of her books read by herself and I am always delighted and moved and learn more of history with every one.

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1 person found this helpful

Excellent!

Starts slowly but becomes a compelling story of world events and cultural battles, fashioned around a convincing, though ultimately fictional lead character. HWS is a complex and engaging humanist, disappointed to find he wasn’t real, particularly following the ending!

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The Lacuna

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

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17 people found this helpful

Very enjoyable book

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

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Lovely writing. Terrible narration

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.

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A really good story

After initial misgivings about the narration, I became totally absorbed by this book. It is a very good story of some scope and the blending together of fictional and factual characters and events is extremely well handled. Frieda Kahlo has real presence and her real life story is woven into the plot with great skill. All of the characters are well drawn, whether 'real' or invented and I became increasingly convinced by their actions. Historical events take on real resonance, particularly the McCarthy witch trials and the anti Soviet paranoia which gripped America in the 40s and 50s. I even became convinced by the author's reading voice and came to value her straightforward approach. If you enjoy a good, well researched story with strong characters, persevere with this, it pays rewards.

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9 people found this helpful