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Most Helpful Reviews
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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Couldn't have read a more appropriate and engaging book while vacationing in Mexico than Kingsolver's The Laguna. I'm a big fan of everything Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, so this imagined story told from the viewpoint of a young man who first mixes plaster for muralist Rivera and then meets...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It2 of 2 members found this review helpful “Kingsolver is one of my favorite authors, but it took a lot of effort for me to finish this book. Hoping for that one redeeming sentence at the end, I did complete it, but unfortunately the end was no better than the rest of it. The HUAC transcripts/conversations were the worst! I don't...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“Excellent book. Loved the references to Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.”
Natalie Carter wrote this review 3 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“An amazing but very enraging story about the effects of the McCarthy era on one very kind and straight thinking individual.”
Nick Pacella wrote this review 6 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Amazing detail of the life of young man who comes to terms with his sexuality through traveling to Mexico with his mother, working for Riveras and Trotsky. The story is many layered as his secretary constructs his life from his journals.”
Jean M wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I liked the 2nd half better than the first. It would have helped to read a little about the historical figures before reading the book.”
Andi Hardesty wrote this review Sunday, April 21, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Colorful. Beautiful prose and striking imagery of Mexico, post-WWII America, McCarthy-ism and daring interpretations of famous personalities of history like Trotsky, Diego Rivera, and Frida Kahlo. A moving book with lots of historically accurate and heart-wrenching events dabbled within the plot. Kingsolver is a talented writer and this a favorite.”
SalemK wrote this review Thursday, April 11, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Winner of the Orange prize 2010. To be read with a Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo taschen book. Excellent first part and last part, interesting in the household of Rivera & Kahlo - but a bit long in the middle. "are you trustworthy?" "its a hard question to answer, sir. Saying 'yes' could prove either case."”
MR MATTHEW D CARROLL wrote this review Thursday, March 21, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I really liked the first half; the second half - not so much, probably because the black listing of Americans in the 50's was so wrong. But I really enjoyed the first half that dealt with Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera and their association with Leon Trotsky. Very interesting.”
Jerseygirl / Dame Constance (Oodles) Oxford-Whapdoodle, D.C., B.C., D.C.A. wrote this review Thursday, March 14, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Great story!”
Beth FW wrote this review Friday, February 22, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Gave up after the a third of the book.”
michael kuehner wrote this review Sunday, February 10, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Barbara Kingsolver is truly one of the best contemporary literary novelists. This was an outstanding book - set in Mexico in the 30's and Asheville in the 40's where the protagonist is brought before the House Un-American Activities Committee. An amazingly interesting read.”
Lady Jane wrote this review Tuesday, January 22, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
