The Lacuna

Author of Demon Copperhead, Winner of the Women's Prize for Fiction

Barbara Kingsolver

PARTITA - THE HEARTRENDING NEW NOVEL FROM BARBARA KINGSOLVER - COMING OCTOBER 2026

FROM THE WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION
TWICE WINNER OF THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION
THE MULTI-MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

'Lush.' SUNDAY TIMES
'Superb.' DAILY MAIL
'Elegantly written.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Born in America and raised in Mexico, Harrison Shepherd starts work in the household of Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. A compulsive diarist, he records and relates his colourful experiences of life in the midst of the Mexican revolution, but political winds toss him between north and south.

The Lacuna is the heartbreaking story of a man torn between the warm heart of Mexico and the cold embrace of 1950s America in the shadow of Senator McCarthy. It is both a portrait of the artist-and of art itself.

Readers loved The Lacuna:
'My new favourite book . . . it gets under your skin.' ?????
'An amazing tale. You must read it!' ?????
'One of those books that you don't want to end and which stays with you.' ?????
'Brilliant. You will never forget this book.' ?????

Table of contents

• Landing Page
• Title Page
• Contents
• A Note on Historical References
• Part 1: Mexico, 1929–1931
• Part 2: Washington, D.C.
• Part 3: San Angel and Coyoacán
• Part 4: Asheville, North Carolina
• Part 5: Asheville, North Carolina
• Loose pages, Montford
• Afterward, 1959
• About the Author
• Also by Barbara Kingsolver
• Extract from Demon Copperhead
• Copyright