GILEAD

HOME
LILA
JACK
by Marilynne Robinson

In all honesty, I must admit that I read Gilead years ago and couldn’t really understand its appeal.  But, I decided to give it another read when I realized that it had won the Pulitzer Prize and President Obama awarded Robinson the National Humanities Medal in 2013. Also, Oprah chose the Gilead tetralogy as four consecutive book club selections.  I can’t say for sure why this time through I loved it so much.  But there is definitely something to be said for reading certain books at certain times in one’s life.  I also think that if I am able to sit down and really absorb a decent portion of a book right at the start, then I tend to enjoy the book more.  Whatever the reason, I urge you to take the time to sit quietly and partake of this beautiful group of four novels.

Set in the fictional town of Gilead, Iowa, Robinson’s first book, Gilead, introduces us to Congregationalist minister, Jack Boughton, who is in the latter part of his career and life.  Living mainly by himself since his wife died and his six adult children are mostly “launched,” Boughton reflects on his life and his relationship to God and religion often with his best friend and neighbor, Reverend John Ames. Believed by those outside it to be a perfect family, we discover that as with every family, the Boughton children have carried resentments toward each other into adulthood. In fact, the youngest child, Jack, is completely alienated from his family and drifting through his life while struggling with addiction.

Into this scenario, comes Lila, a stranger to the town, who captures old Jack Boughton’s heart, marries him and bears him a son in his declining years.  Not educated or polished as are most congregants in Boughton’s church, the townspeople are astounded by the marriage.  But Boughton sees in Lila a purity of spirit and a simple understanding of what really matters in life. Without even trying, she brings him a kind of clarity and peace that even his cerebral conversations with John Ames don’t provide.

By the end of Gilead, I too found a kind of peace in Robinson’s story, in her portrayal of this man who is struggling to understand the meaning of his life.  I couldn’t wait to dive into Home and then Lila and finally, Jack.  I strongly recommend that you give yourself the gift of reading these four beautifully written novels.  I promise they will stay with you forever.  (Liz)