Plot Summary

Some Luck

Jane Smiley
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Some Luck

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014

Book Brief

Jane Smiley

Some Luck

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014
Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Iowa • 1920s

Theme
Publication Year

2014

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Some Luck by Jane Smiley tells the story of the Langdon family over three generations on an Iowa farm, beginning in 1920. Walter and Rosanna Langdon navigate the trials of early 20th-century farm life, including economic hardships, the Great Depression, and personal losses. The family grows with the birth of multiple children, each facing their own struggles while remaining deeply connected to their home and each other. The narrative explores themes of faith, resilience, and the enduring bonds of family. This book includes references to suicide and the death of a child.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

3.8

25,551 ratings

62%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Jane Smiley's Some Luck has garnered praise for its rich character development and vivid portrayal of mid-20th-century rural America, capturing the intricacies of farm life. Critics appreciate its ambitious multi-generational narrative. However, some find its vast timeline leads to uneven pacing. Overall, it's a compelling blend of historical detail and emotional depth.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Some Luck?

A reader who would enjoy Some Luck by Jane Smiley is likely fond of multigenerational family sagas set against the backdrop of rural America. Comparable to Willa Cather's My Ántonia and Marilynne Robinson's Gilead, they appreciate richly developed characters and a deep sense of place. Fans of historical fiction or agrarian life narratives will be particularly drawn in.

3.8

25,551 ratings

62%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Iowa • 1920s

Theme
Publication Year

2014

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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