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Gilead
Gilead
Author: Marilynne Robinson
2005 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Fiction 2004 National Book Critics Circle Winner In 1956, toward the end of Reverend John Ames's life, he begins a letter to his young son, an account of himself and his forebears. Ames is the son of an Iowan preacher and the grandson of a minister who, as a young man in Maine, saw a vision of Christ bound in chain...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780374153892
ISBN-10: 0374153892
Publication Date: 11/19/2004
Pages: 256
Rating:
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 226

3.3 stars, based on 226 ratings
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 2
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

quiltgranny avatar reviewed Gilead on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
This book just washed over me with it's excellent word crafting and ideas. I so enjoyed not being hit over the head with the "spiritual" message of life as a special creation. Even though the main character is a preacher, there is no preaching to the reader, only soft guidance and pleasures of discovering relationships. I also liked how some small part of history was woven into the story and in the end, it was a circle within the story. No wonder it won the Pulitzer award in 2005 - it's a book not to be missed.
reviewed Gilead on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
I'm not religious at all, but this was very moving and enjoyable.
reviewed Gilead on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
agony. No plot line. no action...one of the only books I have ever quit on. I found it because it had been abandoned on an airplane, and now I know why.
Jan1 avatar reviewed Gilead on + 52 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I'm an avid reader and thought this would be a good book since it won an award...but I could not get interested in it and finally just gave up on it - never did finish it.
reviewed Gilead on + 344 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Sometimes I feel that a good story could have been told in a short story format rather than a full length novel. This is one of those cases. For a portion of the book, I thought the author would never get to the point (or plot) of her book. However, the book then suddenly grabbed me and for the last half I had a hard time putting it down. I'm very glad I kept with it!
Read All 73 Book Reviews of "Gilead"

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flowers avatar reviewed Gilead on + 2 more book reviews
The story starts slow and gradually builds till we get to know the characters. A very good book that realistically portrays the characters from all stages of life. A good read.
reviewed Gilead on
Gilead for me was thought provoking and touching. What a treasure for that son when he is older.
reviewed Gilead on
This was the saddest, most depressing book I've read.
retiredgardener avatar reviewed Gilead on
I read about half of it and enjoyed parts of it. I did get bored with it and passed it on to a friend.
reviewed Gilead on
Robinson won a Pulitizer for this book describing a former pastor's look back at his life while also dealing with his contemporary family. It is paced so that every chapter is cherished. There is much wisdom in this man's look back and his reflections on contemporary life.
kimdep avatar reviewed Gilead on + 39 more book reviews
interesting read.. it's a letter from an older dad who is a pastor in a small town to his son. it's a thoughtful book but there's not a lot of action just a glimpse inside the mind of this thoughtful man who knows he will die before he's able to pass on life lessons to his son.
reviewed Gilead on + 63 more book reviews
A preachers story for his young son, as he's approaching the end of his life.
reviewed Gilead on
I absolutely loved this book. As a church staff member I was touched by her portrayal of a minister ... and surprised by her insight. It can be a slow read if you are looking for action. Read the book for its imagery of the world/nature and people. Loved it! (and cried!) :-)
reviewed Gilead on + 57 more book reviews
Beautiful book sometimes slow going but the end brought tears to my eyes.


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