My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: "O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!"

04 April 2006

Book Review - Gilead

Gilead
By Marilynne Robinson


Congregationalist pastor John Ames has some things to get on paper before he dies in Gilead, Iowa. Having remarried at an older age (after his first wife and child died many years ago), he's concerned that his young son hear the heart of the old man rather than simply remembering an old man who liked to take naps. Gilead is the collection of those writings.

Rare is a book that makes me feel guilty when I read fast, but this is one; it is a book that astounds with the sheer beauty of the written word. It is nowhere complex or pretentious, but everywhere the beauty of grace seems to make the simplest ideas shine. It pleads gently to be read aloud, or at least at a whisper.

There is something of a plot to the book, but it's not important enough to even outline for you. Ames recounts his sons "begats" (his ancestry), his friendship with Boughton, the Presbyterian pastor in town, and does some thinking into Boughton's family. Much more, the book is about the wonder of existence, the nature of love and of the word "good" and the graces of forgiveness and joy.

From the very beginning, I found myself laughing or having to read passages to my wife, notably some good insights on why pastors have so many books. I also found myself just astounded that this wasn't real. Marilynne Robinson won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2005 for this book and deserved every silver stamp she got. There is no Robinson in this book, only an old pastor. It's like those rare experiences when you watch a science fiction movie and realize afterward that you never once doubted that it was all real. Nowhere in this memoir did it seem that someone else other than John Ames was writing. He's a man who's quick to forgive, honest about his own heart, a deep thinker, funny without being capricious, and a man who maintained a bright-eyed wonder at the world.

Sometimes I wish I were a better writer, just so I could somehow convince you all to buy this book. We have such a hard time finding the beauty in this life. Gilead isn't a magic pill toward that end, just a wonderful reminder. Don't read it for precise theology or solutions to philosophical queries. Buy it and read it for the beauty of God reflected in His creation, even in words. I have decided to buy a copy to add to my children's libraries; we especially pray that our daughter(s) will be beautiful women, and Gilead seems to me to be a piece of that beauty.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are a good writer - at least good enough to make me want to read this book - right away! I am especially interested from the point of view that it sounds like it reminds people that an old person is really just a young person with a longer history. By that, I mean that I don't feel any different (except the bones creak more) than I did in my 30s. And I want my kids to know that - to know me as a person and not only as a mom. I want them to know the high and low points of my life and the things God has used to mold me into the person I am today - and is still using in my life. I hope to write the history of our lives before I die - not that our lives have been that spectacular but just because I want my kids to have it -to know more about our lives than I knew about my parents.

Anyway, I'm going to buy this book and read it. All too often, I buy books and start reading them and never finish, as my daughter-in-law pointed out to me the last time she was here!

Lisa asked me what it said about me that the book "The Secret of Self-Control" has had the bookmark in the same place for a year! Not very self-controlled, am I?

Mom

Alicia said...

That sounds like a fascinating book. I think I will look into buying it! Or I could read a bit of yours in a couple of weeks to get a preview.

jmark said...

You manage to read all the on my 'To read' list and review them before I get a chance. I've just bought instruments in teh Redeemer's hands, and then saw your review.

Keep thinking my thoughts before me!

Mark

Alicia said...

What's Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands (or where is Jared's review)?

Tamara said...

What about the men? Worthless compared to the apostles? Come on Jared give yourself some credit. You did good.

jmark said...

Its a book by Paul David Tripp on counselling - but I meant Wages of SPoin by Carl Trueman. I think it was another site I saw Instruments reviewed on.

jmark said...

sorry "Wages of Spin"

jmark said...

the review was here

http://matt-mitchell.blogspot.com/2006/02/book-review-instruments-in-redeemers.html