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Jane Smiley

A Thousand Acres

Jane SmileyFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1991

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Book Brief

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Jane Smiley

A Thousand Acres

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1991
Book Details
Pages

371

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Iowa • 1970s

Publication Year

1991

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

HL930L

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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.

Dark

Contemplative

Melancholic

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

3.9

72,528 ratings

67%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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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.

3.9

72,528 ratings

67%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

371

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Iowa • 1970s

Publication Year

1991

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

HL930L

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