The Addition to the List of Favorite Books of All Time

Yesterday I finished one of the most wonderful books I've ever read: The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver.  If you know me you're probably thinking, "But Angela, it's not science fiction...there's no magic or mythical creatures...it's not even young adult literature.  What could you have possibly loved about this dramatic historical nonfiction adventure featuring Mexican artists and American Communists?"

Well, I'll tell you what I loved:  Everything.  The writing style was absolutely brilliant.  The themes were poignant.  The characters were complex, yet real.  The most remarkable thing, really, was how descriptive the narrative was, without seeming typically descriptive.  I was easily able to immerse myself in the world of Harrison Shepherd without any conscious effort all thanks to the author's wonderful analogies, similes, and other tools of good writing.  Here are two of my favorite examples:

1)  "They stopped to watch the mariachis on the platform, handsome men with puckered lips giving long kisses to their brass horns."  (The Lacuna, pg. 10)

2)  "Mrs. Brown's table tidy as she left it, typewriter under a dustcover, telephone standing like a black daffodil blooming from the table, its earpiece dangling."  (The Lacuna, pg. 428)

The title is also significant appearing at least 3 times throughout the story....and always at vital points in very meaningful ways.  I highly recommend this book to everyone.  Though it is a bit long (507 pages) do not be afraid.  It is well worth the time and effort.

As a matter of fact, this novel has served as major inspiration for the novel I plan to start next month for National Novel Writing Month.  Thanks, Barbara Kingsolver...and thank you Grace Book Club for one of the best meetings ever! (We had empanadas and delicious Spanish wine...oh, and good conversation, too).