Reflections on the puddle of life

A while ago I entered a contest run by Waterstones (Waterstones is a UK based book seller, for those who were wondering. For those who weren't, read on. I'm getting to the point). They were giving away a number of proof copies of books for advance read and review, I think there were about 4 or 5 different books in there. I put my name in the pot for the new Barbara Kingsolver book, The Lacuna, and last week a large package arrived and there it was! The book isn't officially released in the UK until 07th November, see here: The Lacuna

I started reading it on Monday and I must say I'm very impressed. I haven't read anything by Kingsolver before, but if this is anything to go by I'll definitely be reading more.

The story is lush, epic, beautiful and historic. Based both in Mexico and America it follows the story of Harrison Shepherd, a boy with a Mexican mother and American father who writes and fits nowhere. Later he falls into the service of Frida Khalo and Diego Rivera and from here his love of art, writing and politics develops. Presented as a record collated by a third party, based on Shepherd's journals, the story moves at pace without ever feeling rushed. Kingsolver has a lyrical way of writing which carries the reader along; beautiful, rich prose, ripe with imagery. I was hooked by the first paragraph, which I'll share though I'm not sure I'm supposed to. Please bear in mind that this is from a proof copy, and may not be the final version.

In the beginning were the howlers. In the first hour of dawn they began their maroon-throated bellows, just as the hem of the sky begins to whiten. It starts with just one of them groaning: a forced, steady rhythm like a saw blade. That arouses others near him, nudging them into bawling along with his monstrous tune. Soon the howls will echo back from other trees, farther down the beach, until the whole jungle is filled with roaring trees. As it was in the beginning, so it is every morning of the world.

Quite honestly, I'm riveted! One to watch out for.