Review: Gilead

The wait since 1981 and Housekeeping is over. Robinson returns with a second novel that, however quiet in tone and however delicate of step, will do no less than tell the story of America—and break your heart. A reverend in tiny Gilead, Iowa, John Ames is 74, and his life is at its best—and at its end. Half a century ago, Ames's first wife died in childbirth, followed by her new baby daughter, and Ames, seemingly destined to live alone, devoted himself to his town, church, and people—until the Pentecost Sunday when a young stranger named Lila walked into the church out of the rain and, from in back, listened to Ames's sermon, then returned each Sunday after. The two married—Ames was 67—had a son, and life began all over again. But not for long. In the novel's present (mid-1950s), Ames is suffering from the heart trouble that will soon bring his death. And so he embarks upon the writing of a long diary, or daily letter—the pages of Gilead—addressed to his seven-year-old son so he can read it when he's grown and know not only about his absent father but his own history, family, and heritage. And what a letter it is! Not only is John Ames the most kind, observant, sensitive, and companionable of men to spend time with, but his story reaches back to his patriarchal Civil War great-grandfather, fiery preacher and abolitionist; comes up to his grandfather, also a reverend and in the War; to his father; and to his own life, spent in his father's church. This long story of daily life in deep Middle America—addressed to an unknown and doubting future—is never in the slightest way parochial or small, but instead it evokes on the pulse the richest imaginable identifying truths of what America was. Robinson has composed, with its cascading perfections of symbols, a novel as big as a nation, as quiet as thought, and moving as prayer. Matchless and towering.

Review: Gilead

An old spiritual hymn says, "There is a balm in Gilead to soothe the sinsick soul." Gilead, the mountainous region of the hymn, and Gilead, Iowa, might seem as removed as night and day. But in Marilynne Robinson's luminous novel, even this tiny plains town can be the site of grace and the goodness of God: "So often I have seen the dawn come and the light flood over the land and everything turn ... Read full review

Transcendent prose, deep, funny, an imperfect, wise narrator whose story is witness to the examined life.

Review: Gilead

I appreciate the quality of this book, but I didn't really enjoy it. It is very philosophical and reflective. You could open it to any page and find a deep thought to ponder. I'm glad I read it, and ... Read full review

Review: Gilead

I can kind of see why this book won the Pulitzer – non-linear storytelling (to seemingly “push the boundaries of literature,” like no one has tried writing like this before, as a series of letters to ... Read full review

Review: Gilead

Original post at Book Rhapsody. *** A Spiritual Force Gilead is a long letter written by Rev. John Ames to his seven-year-old son, whom he begat at a very late age. Rev. Ames believes his death is ...

Review: Gilead

Since I am not a religious person, this book was a very slow starter for me. However, eventually the historical context and the emotional and ethical mysteries the narrator is trying to face, as well ... Read full review

Review: Gilead

my first read of marilynne robinson and a worthy beginning. the story was about the reflections over a life-time of an older father before dying to his young (7 years old) and only son telling him of ... Read full review

Review: Gilead

Original post from One More Page A good friend has been pushing this book to me for a while now, saying that this is probably one book I will like. Note that this friend and I had different tastes in ...

Review: Gilead

When this book was chosen by the book club as the group read for April, I was eager to join the read-along for a number of reasons: 1) I already have a copy which I bought from Booksale, 2) a very ... Read full review