A Thousand Acres

A Thousand Acres

1991 • 384 pages

Ratings34

Average rating3.5

15

This powerful twentieth-century reimagining of Shakespeare’s *King Lear* centers on a wealthy Iowa farmer who decides to divide his farm between his three daughters. When the youngest objects, she is cut out of his will. This sets off a chain of events that brings dark truths to light and explodes long-suppressed emotions. Ambitiously conceived and stunningly written, *A Thousand Acres* takes on themes of truth, justice, love, and pride—and reveals the beautiful yet treacherous topography of humanity.


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I may have given this more stars if I had been a reader when it was first published.. The remembered sex abuse theme is too played out by now. Parts were compelling, and the writing was enjoyable.

May 7, 2009

A heart breaking novel that is somehow beautiful too. The last line left me saying, “oh fuuuuuck.” A brilliant retelling of King Lear.

May 18, 2018

So much more melodramatic than what I usually read. Great pace though and really nicely written.

October 16, 2020