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jenmcmaynes 's review for:
Gilead
by Marilynne Robinson
A bit of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, I enjoyed the plot -- slight though it was -- of an elderly preacher writing a letter to his young son as he approaches death, describing all the family history, life events, and fine feelings for his young wife and child that he will never be able to pass on. It is both mournful and sweet, full of reflection and tenderness, as he struggles to be honest and caring to a child he will mostly never know. I also enjoyed the secondary plot dealing with the old family friend, Jack Boughton, who comes home to be with his father and the mostly internal drama and pain his being there causes the narrator. The writing is deliberate and steady, and at times truly beautiful, as when the narrator describes the joy of seeing his child playing in the sprinkler.
On the other hand, this is a book that deals very much with Christian theology-- not surprising considering the narrator, his father, his grandfather, and his best friend are all preachers. So many of his ruminations and struggles deal with points of doctrine or sermons. This is fine in small doses but, for me, there were just too many biblical quotes, passages from sermons, etc. However, I did appreciate the overall message of love, grace, and forgiveness. It just got to be a little 'too much' for me, but I fully admit that I am probably not the intended audience for this.
Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend it, with the caveat that it is probably best for Christian readers.
On the other hand, this is a book that deals very much with Christian theology-- not surprising considering the narrator, his father, his grandfather, and his best friend are all preachers. So many of his ruminations and struggles deal with points of doctrine or sermons. This is fine in small doses but, for me, there were just too many biblical quotes, passages from sermons, etc. However, I did appreciate the overall message of love, grace, and forgiveness. It just got to be a little 'too much' for me, but I fully admit that I am probably not the intended audience for this.
Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend it, with the caveat that it is probably best for Christian readers.