In 1956, toward the end of Reverend John Ames's life, he begins a letter to his young son, a kind of last testament to his remarkable forebears. 'It is a book of such meditative calm, such spiritual intensity that is seems miraculous that her silence was only for 23 years; such measure of wisdom is the fruit of a lifetime. Robinson's prose, aligned with the sublime simplicity of the language of the bible, is nothing short of a benediction. You might not share its faith, but it is difficult not to be awed moved and ultimately humbled by the spiritual effulgence that lights up the novel from within' Neel Mukherjee, The Times 'Writing of this quality, with an authority as unforced as the perfect pitch in music, is rare and carries with it a sense almost of danger - that at any moment, it might all go wrong. In Gilead, however, nothing goes wrong' Jane Shilling, Sunday Telegraph
Gilead Series
This novel series delves into the profound depths of the human spirit, exploring the intricate tapestry of faith, family, and forgiveness across generations. Set against the evocative landscapes of the American Midwest, these stories offer an introspective look at life, mortality, and the enduring search for meaning. Readers will appreciate the lyrical prose and philosophical reflections that capture both the vulnerability and resilience of the human condition. Each installment provides a unique lens on universal themes, making for a compelling and deeply resonant reading experience.
Recommended Reading Order
Um den erfundenen Ort Gilead hat Marilynne Robinson eine Erzählwelt geschaffen, die Roman für Roman weiterwächst. Gilead ist keine Idylle, sondern eine Stadt, die für den Leser zum Mittelpunkt eines ganzen Kosmos wird. In Zuhause kehrt Glory Boughton kehrt nach Gilead zurück, um ihren sterbenden Vater zu pflegen. Kurz darauf findet auch ihr Bruder Jack nach 20 Jahren heim, der Bad Boy der Familie, der zu viel trinkt und zu wenig tut. Jack eckt bei allen an - und doch ist er der Liebling des Vaters. Allmählich knüpft er ein enges Band zu seiner Schwester, hütet aber weiter ein großes Geheimnis - einen Konflikt aus dem dunklen Amerika, in dem Hautfarbe und Leidenschaft Hass gebären. Zuhause ist ein auf leise, präzise Art schonungsloses Buch, in dem Marilynne Robinson die Kontraste ihrer Welt um den fiktiven Ort Gilead noch eindringlicher zeichnet. Sie erzählt mit großer Meisterschaft von Scham und Würde, von Gnade und Vergebung, und wieder gelingt es ihr, dem Trost ein Zuhause zu geben. Eine unserer größten lebenden Romanautorinnen. Bryan Appleyard, Sunday Times
Lila, English edition
- 261 pages
- 10 hours of reading
Neglected as a toddler? Lila was rescued by a canny young drifter and together they crafted a life on the run. Despite some petty violence and moments of desperation? their life was laced with moments of joy and love. When Lila arrives in Gilead? she struggles to reconcile the life of her makeshift family and their days of hardship with the gentle Christian worldview of her husband which paradoxically judges those she loves.
Jack
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Jack tells the story of John Ames Boughton, the beloved and grieved-over prodigal son of a Presbyterian minister in Gilead, Iowa, a drunkard and a ne'er-do-well. In segregated St. Louis sometime after World War II, Jack falls in love with Della Miles, an African-American high school teacher, also a preacher's child, with a discriminating mind, a generous spirit, and an independent will. Their fraught, beautiful story is one of Robinson's greatest achievements.