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"The Lacuna," a new novel by Barbara Kingsolver, is a sweep of history and a mix of the real and the imaginary: From the vibrant political and artistic Mexico of the 1930's -- including the historic figures muralist Diego Rivera, his wife, artist Frida Kahlo, and the exiled Soviet leader Leon Trotsky -- to post World War II America, where optimism is mixed with fears of communism and the House Un-American Activities Committee. Kingsolver is also the author of the bestseller "The Poisonwood Bible." She joined me to discuss her new work.

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Comments

  • Posted:
    11/13/09 at
    07:09 PM
    Carolyn Foy-Stromberg : I was delighted to hear B. Kingsolver's insights into her latest novel which will make it much more understandable to me! The plot(s) sound complicated, but all lead up to (hopefully as she points out!) how we think of ourselves in 2009! Great intro for any reader!
  • Posted:
    11/13/09 at
    09:20 PM
    David Crooks : I enjoyed the interview. Brown did a fine job! I adored her early books, like "Pigs in Heaven." Hope this comes out in large print soon; I was born the year the book begins in 1929, and look for to reading it, hopefuly without need for a magnifying glass.
  • Posted:
    11/13/09 at
    10:15 PM
    Joyce MacKenzie : What a treat to have the NewsHour expanded by interviews such as this one with Kingsolver. Thanks!
  • Posted:
    11/13/09 at
    11:16 PM
    Wayne Tyson : I have been recently outside Kingsolver's Tucson, trying to get a feel for the trail over which the remnants of Parker H. French's expedition of 1850 made their way to the California gold fields ("my" man, Samuel Stiles walked across Mexico to the Pacific coast). These events and personalities presage the events in Kingsolver's novel, the natal psychopathology that led to a history of folly that led to its expansion of expansionism today. Arrogance against innocence, or, as my essay is entitled, "Culture Against Society." WHAT! Only TWO comments?
  • Posted:
    11/13/09 at
    11:31 PM
    tia_margarita : Good interview! Thanks for having one of my favorite Authors on the Newshour!!
  • Posted:
    11/14/09 at
    12:19 AM
    M : Can not bring up the video. Why?
  • Posted:
    11/14/09 at
    12:40 AM
    Helen Felsing : What a woman, and what a writer and thinker! And as always, Jeffrey Brown's understated and kind interviewing technique brings out the best in all of us. Thanks to you both.
  • Posted:
    11/14/09 at
    02:57 AM
    jillian : I'm half way through the book, and found this really helpful in illuminating my understanding of it. Sad to think Lacuna will probably never outsell Sarah Palin's autobiography -- but at least we do have Kingsolver and other great writers still working and publishing --
  • Posted:
    11/14/09 at
    08:20 AM
    Nika Gem : Just started reading The Lacuna - this interview was illuminating re the story line and how Kingsolver so brilliantly constructs! Also, found she is to keynote a writers' conference in San Miguel de Allende, MX in Feb. 2010. Wow. Thanks for a great interview!
  • Posted:
    11/15/09 at
    07:31 PM
    Joan : My favorite author - thanks so much for a wonderful interview, as well as the short reading by Barbara Kingsolver at the end. I've had the pleasure of hearing her read on an audio book, and it allows me to "hear" her voice, her tone, her pacing, when I read the book myself. Thanks so much for this. I'm really looking forward to reading this one.
  • Posted:
    11/17/09 at
    11:39 AM
    Laurie Brannen : This interview helped me sort through the themes of the book, which I'm almost finished reading. It reminded me of what the protagonist said about how he started his books, which resembles Kingsolver's approach. The "howlers" sums up her overarching theme very well--when one "monkey" (read media gossip) starts screaming the rest of the pack quickly follow. And trermendous damage ensues. I loved the book.
  • Posted:
    11/25/09 at
    10:24 PM
    Claire Hess : One of the most compelling books I have read in a great while, perhaps because Kingsolver has taken me into history that lapped my beginnings and was always at the edge of my vision. Thanks to the NewsHour and Jeffrey Brown for this interview!
  • Posted:
    11/27/09 at
    11:15 AM
    Joan B. : Ah, what riches! Jeffrey Brown interviewing Barbara Kingsolver giving us keys to "The Lacuna." Thank you PBs, Mr. B and Ms. K.
  • Posted:
    11/27/09 at
    02:19 PM
    Karen Elliott : I caught a glimpse of The Lacuna book cover on the TV screen but missed the interview. I'm so relieved that I can catch up on-line with what I missed. Each of her books is like a gift and treasure to read. Her idea of lacuna is so mystical and enticing. Thank you both.
  • Posted:
    12/15/09 at
    06:46 PM
    Mary E. Moore : Jeffery Brown's interview with Barbara Kingsolver was one of his best. It provided new insights into "The Lacuna," which I loved, and her reading at the end was such a treat. Ms. Kingsolver will be keynote speaker at a very exciting writers conference in San Miguel de Allende, MX, in Feb., 2010. Check it out at www.sanmiguelwritersconference.org!
  • Posted:
    12/21/09 at
    02:42 AM
    Annielaural : Just finished The Lacuna..wrote a review at http://www.kookaburraseranade.blogspot.com Loved the interview - great questions..daunting was it? I, too loved her reading the first page - delightful! Thanks so much for putting the interview on line. I live in Australia and wouldn't have seen it otherwise.
  • Posted:
    01/17/10 at
    03:02 PM
    Frazier Wilson : I just finished reading "The Lacuna" at 3AM today...couldn't stop...too gripping! Ms. Kingsolver was already my all-time favorite author and poet! Her ability to beautifully describe her insights into this part of our history/culture/society has elevated her to new heights in my opinion! It is an honor to read each piece she has published...each provides us with an escape from reality while enlightening us about how we came to our current state of politics/culture/society! She is a craftswoman of the the very highest caliber! Thanks for this interview and her reading!
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