Gilead (2004)

I loved this book. The narrator’s voice is intimate and meditative. It feels so personal that one forgets that it is a piece of fiction and not a real memoir: an old, dying man writing a letter to his young son with a wise voice, but humane enough in his doubts and small – and big – desires.

It certainly is not a book for someone craving plot and action, but a philosophical meandering on life, death, love, parenthood and many of the other big questionings. Yet it does not feel heavy and self-righteous, as so many books with a truth-seeking line tend to be. It is truly a Christian book, although to label it this way will narrow its scope and maybe scare potential readers. It definitely is not preachy or evangelical. But it is Christian on the fact that the author does draw on the Christian tradition to explore the human experience of grace and the divine. Having said that, it is tremendously broad in its spiritual scope to make it a remarkable reading experience to all readers.


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Such a quiet book. ( )

In 1950s Iowa, precisely in the windswept settlement of Gilead, Congregationalist minister John Ames is preparing to meet his Maker. Ames is 76 and his heart has been playing up. He knows that he does not have long to live, and that he will be leaving behind a young wife and a seven year old son, the unexpected blessing of his old age. So he sets out to write a long letter to this boy he will never see growing up. As Ames sifts through his memories, the story of his family (particularly his preacher father and grandfather) and the community which they served starts to take shape. Old pains and preoccupations resurface - particularly those related to the minister's godson and namesake John Ames Boughton. A troublemaker in childhood, youth and well into adulthood, is there the possibility of salvation for Boughton as well? Will God's grace ever touch him?

This is "Gilead" - part diary, part memoir; part testament, part confession. Robinson writes brilliantly - her narrator's style is perfectly pitched and utterly convincing with its continuous scriptural references and discursive theological debates underscored by very human emotions. Some scenes and metaphors - such as the image of John and and his father standing on the desolate grave of John's grandfather against the backdrop of a rising moon - will stick to the mind.

At one point in the novel, Ames mentions [b:The Diary of a Country Priest|63672|The Diary of a Country Priest|Georges Bernanos|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1436634216s/63672.jpg|1174195] by [a:Georges Bernanos|35812|Georges Bernanos|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1245180195p2/35812.jpg]. Although the latter book is written from a Catholic viewpoint (indeed, it is considered a classic "Catholic novel") whilst Gilead reflects a "Calvinist" theology, there are surprising similarities between the two works in their conception (a first-person journal), narrators (troubled "men of the cloth" in a small community) and in their concerns (mercy, grace, sin, redemption). However, I'd say that Robinson is a cannier writer. Although hers is no plot-driven novel, she tightly controls the few narrative threads and introduces gradual revelations in such a way that she grips the interest of the reader. I'd even go as far as saying that she manages to make her novel "entertaining" - and I mean that in a good way. Both are great books - but, to use a musical analogy, it's rather like comparing the organ works of Messiaen with the more immediate pleasures of Copland's "Appalachian Spring".

4.5* rounded up to 5* ( )

A difficult book to read- an old preacher's life review. He discusses theology is a very deep manner which is at times, hard to follow. I do think there is some wisdom in there, but it is hard to grasp. It is also an examination of the father-son relationship and it is often sad. I do not know who would really appreciate this book. ( )

This book is in the form of a letter from a dying old minister to his young son. He wants to use the letter to impart on his son all the things he won't be able to tell him as he grows up, but the letter also ends up taking the form of a diary as he recounts his last months. The narrator, John Ames, is a wonderful character. He has gained a lot of wisdom is his long years, yet he is also full of humility and approaches the world with child-like wonder.

There is a lot to think about in this book. John Ames has some very profound things to say about Christianity, especially about Communion and grace and forgiveness. This is a wonderful book for reading and discussing with other people. It's also one that benefits from re-reading - I intend to read it again in a few years. ( )