65 pages • 2 hours read
Jane SmileyA Thousand Acres
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1991A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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 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.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
HL930L