Lucky number 13...

She did it again. Barbara Kingsolver absolutely blew me right out of the water with 'The Lacuna'.  I feel confident in saying that never has an author so skillfully taken one character's story through three decades in history. What a beautifully written, stunning novel. Harrison William Shepherd is the son of a divorced American (D.C. bound) father and a Mexican mother. A level-headed, calm tempered man and a fiery hot, trendy, passionate woman, came together to borne into this world a character, a man, of great depth, intelligence, talent and ultimately, dignity. This boy who turns into a man between 1929 and 1951, and over the course of 500 pages, is a foreigner wherever he roams. A gringo, or American in Mexico, a Mexican or traitorous Communist in America. Kingsolver demonstrates that she is truly, unquestioningly, a master of the literary trade, as she gently folds into the dough that is Harrison's story, some of the most influential figures in the 20th century; Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Leon Trotsky, etc. The book tells Harrison's story through diaries (his own as well as others), articles, and letters. From the time he is a young boy subject to the every whim of his spontaneous mother to his later-in-life settling down in Asheville, NC; Kingsolver paints Harrison as a wholly likable, completely sympathetic character. The beginning description of the boy's experiences in Mexico were mysterious, colorful and utterly delicious. I found myself loving and hating Frida Kahlo at the same time; wanting her to be reasonable while admiring her fire and genius. I felt as though I could taste on my tongue every pastry the young Harrison prepared, feel every sense of elation when he was singled out and asked to cook or write, and be gutted with every abandonment. Later in the novel, I was taken back to the same period of history I seem to be magnetically drawn to lately, when Harrison is forced to defend himself in front of the Un-American Activities Committee in his adult life. Again, I found it staggering, despite my recent foray into this time period, to fully accept and comprehend the allowable hysteria that spread through this nation, and around the world...turning neighbors, friends and co-workers against one another. It makes me frighteningly aware of how authority figures, whether they be in families, the government, or place of work, have the ability to spin the truth to suit a very dark, and terrible mission. I applaud Ms. Kingsolver in her ability to change Mr. Shepherd's voice as he matures through the years, from an eager child, to a timid but intelligent teenager and then a near celebrity adult. Just like his fans, I think I fell a little in love with Mr. Shepherd by the end of this tale; celebrating and admiring his eloquence (when living his life and defending such as well), his kindness (in dealing with his dear friend and secretary, Ms. Brown) and his deeply rooted and swiftly found passion. The only times I felt the true girth of this novel (and its 500 pages) were each and every occasion where I was forced to set the book down to attend to my 'life' only to return again when time permitted. I urge the reader to persevere. Though the first few chapters are interesting, they are dry as compared to the vivid color and life as the rest of the book. Ms. Kingsolver has, once again, written a lovely and apt to be celebrated, page turner. In one word: breathtaking.