A Thousand Acres
By Jane Smiley
My youngest child is named Cordelia, so my affection for King Lear is well documented. Jane Smiley’s reimaging of Lear on a 1970’s-era Iowa farm is both a fascinating lens through which to reexamine Shakespeare’s work and a thoroughly engrossing standalone epic. She treads lightly, almost quietly, to build the classic family drama anew. For those looking to read an author in her moment of prime, look no further.
My youngest child is named Cordelia, so my affection for King Lear is well documented. Jane Smiley’s reimaging of Lear on a 1970’s-era Iowa farm is both a fascinating lens through which to reexamine Shakespeare’s work and a thoroughly engrossing standalone epic. She treads lightly, almost quietly, to build the classic family drama anew. For those looking to read an author in her moment of prime, look no further.
Review by Beth Williams