description The Lacuna Overview
*The Lacuna* is a 2009 historical novel by American author Barbara Kingsolver that won the Orange Prize for Fiction. The narrative is constructed from the fictional protagonist Harrison William Shepherd's diaries, letters, and newspaper clippings. It traces his life from his youth in 1930s Mexico, where he works as a cook for the muralist Diego Rivera and interacts with Frida Kahlo and Leon Trotsky, to his later life in postwar America. The story explores political paranoia and identity during the onset of the Cold War.
help The Lacuna FAQ
Who is Harrison William Shepherd in The Lacuna?
Harrison William Shepherd is the fictional narrator whose diaries, letters, and newspaper clippings form the novel. His life connects Mexico, the United States, Leon Trotsky, and the political tensions of the 1930s and 1940s.
What historical figures appear in The Lacuna?
The story includes real figures such as Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and the revolutionary Leon Trotsky. Barbara Kingsolver uses Harrison's fictional account to place him near major political events.
When was The Lacuna published?
The Lacuna was published in 2009 by American author Barbara Kingsolver. It won the Orange Prize for Fiction, now known as the Women's Prize for Fiction.
Is The Lacuna written like a normal novel?
It is presented through several document types, especially Harrison's diary entries, letters, and newspaper clippings. That epistolary structure makes the historical story feel like a reconstructed personal archive.
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