Gilread & Home by Marilynne Robinson

Gilead & Home by Marilynne Robinson

These two books are set in the same place, Gilead, Iowa, at the same time, 1956, about the same events and people but narrated by two different characters. I found that fascinating! The first, Gilead, is narrated by preacher John Ames who in his seventies. He is writing to his young seven year old son about his life and family because he fears his life is coming to an end. It is written in a journal type style with no chapters.

The second is Home written by the daughter of preacher John Ames's best friend. Her name is Glory and she has arrived "home" to Gilead to take care of her ailing father, also a preacher. She writes of the return of her brother Jack (John Ames Boughton) the black sheep of the family. These books might be considered slow, there is not much of a plot to them, but the characters are interesting and fully developed and their relationship to each other makes the books a great read. I enjoyed them both, I would read Gilead first and then continue to Home for a new perspective.

Jan K., Youth Services