I believe I'll make an experiment with candor here.
"Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson
John Ames is a 77 year old preacher living in Gilead, Iowa. He's dying from heart disease. Forty years after the death of his first wife, he has remarried and now has a 7 year old son. This book is written to his son as a way to pass on everything Rev. Ames wanted to be able to tell his son. Things like family history, the need for love and God in everyday life, and who he is himself.
"Gilead" is a calm, thoughtful book, not to be rushed. It covers the history of a town and a family during the abolitionist movement before the Civil War. It hits on John Ames' views on religion. It explores the relationship between fathers and sons.
John Ames tell the story of the world he lived in with a courage and honesty seldom seen. He's not afraid to see himself as he is, not as he should have been.
6 comments:
Gilead is one of my favorites. I'm glad you liked it.
Hi, Kimmie: It's Jill (mrstreme) from the Book Awards Reading Challenge. I am so glad you reviewed this book. I am trying to find books for this challenge, and I really think I'll add this one!
Happy Reading!
=) Jill
http://mrstreme.livejournal.com
I just finished this one as well for the Reading Challenge. I'll have to get my thoughts together for a review. I enjoyed reading yours and I liked your comment about 'courage' - very astute.
I have got it as a gift and yet to read it. I will soon do so. It is not on my read list. May be I should add it!
I like the sound of this one. I think I might end up adding it as an extra.
This is one of the few books that I could not finish last year. I was so bored, I couldn't stand it!!
I might be able to pick it up now with a better appreciation, though.
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