65 pages 2 hours read

Jane Smiley

A Thousand Acres

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1991

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley is a contemporary retelling of Shakespeare's King Lear set on an Iowa farm in the 1970s. Wealthy farmer Larry Cook decides to incorporate his farm and give joint ownership to his daughters, Ginny, Rose, and Caroline. When Caroline hesitates, Larry removes her from the will, leading to tragic events. Ginny, the eldest, narrates the story, offering a deep dive into complex family dynamics, themes of power, gender roles, and appearance versus reality. The novel includes topics like child abuse, sexual abuse, and mental health conditions.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Jane Smiley's A Thousand Acres is broadly acclaimed for its vivid portrayal of a midwestern farming family's psychological complexity, nodding to Shakespeare's King Lear. Many reviewers praise its rich character development and compelling narrative. Some criticism centers on its bleak tone and slow pace, but overall, the novel's emotional depth and thematic richness are highly regarded.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Thousand Acres?

Readers who enjoy A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley typically appreciate modern retellings of classic literature, intricate family dynamics, and explorations of rural American life. Fans of William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying or John Steinbeck's East of Eden will find similar themes of generational conflict and moral complexity.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

HL930L

Book Details

Themes

Relationships: Family

Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Emotions/Behavior: Revenge

Genre

Play: Drama

Historical Fiction

American Literature