The 2004 Pulitzer Prize winning novelA New York Times Top-Ten Book of 2004Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for FictionNearly 25 years after Housekeeping, Marilynne Robinson returns with an intimate tale of three generations, from the Civil War to the 20th century: a story about fathers and sons and the spiritual battles that still rage at America’s heart. In the words of Kirkus, … heart. In the words of Kirkus, it is a novel “as big as a nation, as quiet as thought, and moving as prayer. Matchless and towering.” GILEAD tells the story of America and will break your heart.
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Absolutely like nothing I have read before. Gilead is beautiful and demanding. It is not a book that can be rushed, but must be settled into. This book made me love life more.
A lovely intimate tender book, a dying father tells the story of his life to his young son. Exquisite.
Gilead is technically an epistolary novel, though it doesn’t feel like one in the traditional sense. The conceit is that John Ames, a 76 year old reverend in the town of Gilead, Iowa, is recounting his life in a long, fairly digressive letter to his seven year old son. He also recounts the story of his grandfather, a one-eyed firebrand preacher …
“Gilead” is unlike any book I’ve read. The story is captivating and exquisite, and I know it will stay with me long after other novels have left my memory. I only wish I could give it more than five stars.
Gilead is a beautiful series of letters from an older father to his younger son. The letters are full of ideals, hopes, and identity to be passed down. I loved these father-son ruminations. There is much more in the book — it also is a story of American history, of race, of religion, and of relationships — yet even with all its layers it is …
A meditation – pensive and solemn — a storytelling that may seem to be small but is truly grand and powerful. There are some passages that takes one’s breath away. “There is a wound in the flesh of human life that scars when it heals and often enough seems never to heal at all.” There are some truths that we struggle to understand while we are …
This month I was also thrilled to reread another of my favorite ‘new classics’, Marilynne Robinson’s Pulitzer Prize winner Gilead. I read it nearly ten years ago, then reread it for a book club. I believe this is my third reading of the book. It is an affirming book that inspires us to pay more attention to the wonder of human existence.
Yes, …
The ministry is a unique and difficult occupation. Laypersons expect preachers to be closer to God and live on a higher plain of morality. Reverend John Ames, third in a generation of preachers, lives in a small, unexceptional Iowa town. He loves the ministry but admits to shortcomings everyone possesses. His humanity makes this soul-searching …
I have read all of the books that Ms Robinson has written about the town of Gilead and its people. I have just finished reading her latest book, “Jack.” I have enjoyed them all, she is a gifted writer. They are written about a time gone by, when people were more connected to their family and friends. People who used good manners and worked at …
I love this book. Beautifully written, the prose stopped me often to just sit and contemplate.The story is sweet and moving. Highly recommend.
Marilynne Robinson is one of my personal holy trinity, along with Louise Erdrich and Grace Paley. Gilead is almost as haunting and charming as Housekeeping.
Beautifully written
Gilead has the feel of a classic. It will endure.
What a great and moving work.
I absolutely loved it. In fact, I plan to re-read it this summer.
Love all her books. Well written.
“. . . the difference between an elderly gentleman and a codger.”
Life has so many nuances to ponder, especially when you’re an elderly gentleman with serious health problems and quandaries to settle before your demise. So you set about to leave your thoughts to a young son, born while you’re already middle aged. A delightful process to follow in …
This is my favorite living author. Her writing is spare, no unnecessary, extraneous fluff, but her mastery of language and character development is exceptional and second to none.
A worthy read
Imagine what it would be like to receive a letter, albeit it a lengthy one, from one of your parents after their demise. A letter addressed to you that expresses the testimony of not only their life but of their parent’s lives as well. You are exposed to the events of their lives, but also to the emotions, mysteries of their hearts regarding joy …