65 pages 2 hours read

Jane Smiley

A Thousand Acres

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2003

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Before You Read

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

HL930L

Book Details

Themes
Relationships: Family
Emotions/Behavior: Conflict
Emotions/Behavior: Revenge
Genre
Play: Drama
Historical Fiction
American Literature