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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
I am of the opinion that there may be no writer currently practicing the craft superior to Marilynne Robinson in her ability to crawl inside characters and find out what makes them tick, the thoughts they think, how they make sense of the world. Yes, it is true that Robinson's take is based in a certain Christian theology, and this bothers some people, or so I have heard. But I find this strange. Do we reject authors who write about other perspectives we do not share? Do we turn up our noses at Islamic or Buddhist authors? I would certainly hope not. It strikes me that those who cannot put themselves in the shoes of a character grappling with an experience dissimilar to their own is living in a very narrow world.
In any case, for those who are familiar with the other two Gilead books, [b:Gilead|68210|Gilead|Marilynne Robinson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327936326s/68210.jpg|2481792] and [b:Home|2924318|Home (Gilead, #2)|Marilynne Robinson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1426188598s/2924318.jpg|2951639], Lila will be a familiar character. To recapitulate briefly: Gilead is the preacher John Ames' letter to his young son who he fathered late in life with his much younger wife, Lila. Home is the story of Jack Boughton, the son of John Ames' best friend and fellow religious man. They all live in the small town of Gilead, thus the name. This third book gives us the perspective and history of Lila, who grows up in very difficult circumstances (to put it mildly) and comes to Gilead when she is pretty much played out. She has no expectations or hopes, no dreams left. Yet, sweetness comes her way nonetheless.
I don't want to give much of Lila's story away, though I must say that even if I told you the whole thing it wouldn't matter all that much, because what is so wonderful about this book is the way in which her story is told, how Robinson can so much inhabit her head and her heart. I loved it and was deeply touched. I am so happy that there are still writers who want to write books like this.
In any case, for those who are familiar with the other two Gilead books, [b:Gilead|68210|Gilead|Marilynne Robinson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327936326s/68210.jpg|2481792] and [b:Home|2924318|Home (Gilead, #2)|Marilynne Robinson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1426188598s/2924318.jpg|2951639], Lila will be a familiar character. To recapitulate briefly: Gilead is the preacher John Ames' letter to his young son who he fathered late in life with his much younger wife, Lila. Home is the story of Jack Boughton, the son of John Ames' best friend and fellow religious man. They all live in the small town of Gilead, thus the name. This third book gives us the perspective and history of Lila, who grows up in very difficult circumstances (to put it mildly) and comes to Gilead when she is pretty much played out. She has no expectations or hopes, no dreams left. Yet, sweetness comes her way nonetheless.
I don't want to give much of Lila's story away, though I must say that even if I told you the whole thing it wouldn't matter all that much, because what is so wonderful about this book is the way in which her story is told, how Robinson can so much inhabit her head and her heart. I loved it and was deeply touched. I am so happy that there are still writers who want to write books like this.
"She had the likeness of a woman, with hands but no face at all, since she never let herself see it. She lived in the likeness of a house, with walls and a roof and a door that kept nothing in and nothing out. And when Doll took her up and swept her away, she had felt a likeness of wings. She thought, Strange as all this is, there might be something to it."
What a beautiful book. This is a follow-up from Gilead, Robinson’s absolute masterwork (and one of my top 10 favourite books all-time) and it is seriously worthy. I have also read her book Jack from the same series, which is very good but not quite up to the same standard. Lila, however, is. Where Gilead is the story from the perspective of Rev John Ames, writing a series of letters to his young son because he knows he won’t live to see him grow up, Lila is the story from the perspective of Rev Ames’ surprising wife. Lila is a profoundly and subtly drawn and created character. She was essentially abandoned by her family as a baby and young child, and rescued from ruin by a drifter named Doll, who stole her from certain death and took care of her as her own. Doll and Lila then travelled the country with other folk looking for work, shelter and safety. This hard but still loving existence became impossible when the Great Depression hit, and led to breaking of fellowship, violence, incarceration, and despair. But this story is told in between the story of Lila wandering into Gilead, and into the Church where Ames was preaching, and into the life of Ames in a way that nobody could have predicted. The novel gives us the deep, painful workings of Lila’s heart and mind as she contemplates sorrow, beauty, faith, loss, and the threat of hope. It is a wonderful book that should be read after having read Gilead at least.
Marilynne Robinson is simply a superb wordsmith. I love this story.
You know that question people sometimes ask, "If you could have dinner with anyone who has ever lived, who would it be?" My answer currently is Marilynne Robinson.
Lila is the 3rd in what is now being touted as a series (a trilogy? will she write more?). It's a prequel to Gilead; please read Gilead and Home first before thinking of reading this one.
Lila is the 3rd in what is now being touted as a series (a trilogy? will she write more?). It's a prequel to Gilead; please read Gilead and Home first before thinking of reading this one.
This book is so lovely and stark and stunning. It will make your heart a little deeper, a little wider, if you let it.
Marilynne is completely obsessed with Jack. Couldn't help jamming him into the climactic scene
This book is better than Home, not as good as Gilead
Enjoyed seeing Ames from yet another perspective
Probably won't read Jack, at least not right away.
This book is better than Home, not as good as Gilead
Enjoyed seeing Ames from yet another perspective
Probably won't read Jack, at least not right away.
Imagine finishing a book by Marilynne Robinson NOT in heaving sobs.