Gilead

I finished Marilynne Robinson's Gilead a couple of weeks ago. The story was at first difficult reading--heavy, that is, and serious. I was afraid that it was going to be a bit esoteric for me. But I really grew to love the story, the characters, and Robinson's writing style. The language and themes were all so lovely and tranquil yet with a throbbing undercurrent of faith-based questioning that (at least for me) strengthened rather than diminished the book's effectiveness--not at all preachy but very moving and instructive. There is also an element or two of surprise in this otherwise placid letter from a preacher to his son that makes the ending sparkle with thoughtful significance. The book makes me want to read the author's other books, Home and Housekeeping.