I've read so many reviews of this book, eulogising its quiet thoughtfulness. There is indeed much to admire. The messages of an elderly pastor to his small son, who will not perhaps remember him very well after his death, are touching, and a wonderful way for the reader to make contact with a particular time and way of life in America's recent past. Many descriptions are telling and memorable. Somehow, however, though I read to the end, I never really succumbed to the undoubted power of this narrative. But I feel the book may stay with me, and that it may be one of those texts I have to have two goes at to appreciate. I hope so. I've read so many entirely favourable reviews, that I feel my slight negativity makes me the loser. ( )

It took me a long time to read this book. Having finished it, I can say that it is beautiful and heartbreaking. ( )

I'd had this book on my shelves for an AGE. Probably over a decade at least. But what finally pushed me to pick this up and read it was the Book Riot Podcast — it's a book the hosts often refer to, constantly recommend, and at some point they asked, if you're a long-time listener of this show and haven't read this book yet...?

Okay, fine, I said. I'll read it.

And as soon as I did... the John Brown connection? The Kansas connection? The evolution of theology as influenced by current events/generations? No, I, TOO now want to know how I went so long without reading this!

I LOVED this book. Ravenously loved it. I gifted copies to multiple people I know. I loved the period, the tone, the theology, the Kansas/Iowa, the John Brown (who appears only peripherally in this picture but LOOMS LARGE), the small town pasturage, the prairie, the small town.

Do I love it enough to read the rest of the books? I don't know. I think the parts I am obviously interested in have already been told. But still. A five-star read, easily jumps to the list of the books of my heart forever. ( )

Wow....

Read [b:Lila|20575411|Lila (Gilead, #3)|Marilynne Robinson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1393645345s/20575411.jpg|26208371] first. As the prequel to [b:Gilead|68210|Gilead (Gilead, #1)|Marilynne Robinson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1451555787s/68210.jpg|2481792] it makes both books make sense.

Because I loved Lila, I eagerly picked up Gilead. But it took time to adjust to the different voice, structure, and pace of this story. Eventually, I fell in love again with the narrator's voice and world view and thoughtful style, but it took time. (Thus, four instead of five stars.)

"Calvin says somewhere that each of us is an actor on a stage and God is the audience. That metaphor has always interested me, because it makes us artists of our own behavior, and the reaction of God to us might be thought of as aesthetic rather than morally judgmental in the ordinary sense. How well do we understand our role? With how much assurance do we perform it? ...I do like Calvin's image, though, because it suggest how God might actually enjoy us." 124

"Adulthood is a wonderful thing, and brief. You must be sure to enjoy it while it lasts." 166

"...it seems to me presumptuous to judge the authenticity of anyone's religion, except one's own. And that is also presumptuous." 173

"...nothing true can be said about God from a posture of defense." 177

And these incandescent lines:
"We fly forgotten as a dream, certainly, leaving the forgetful world behind us to trample and mar and misplace everything we have ever cared for. That is just the way of it, and it is remarkable." 191 ( )