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Gilead

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Gilead

By: Marilynne Robinson
Narrated by: Tim Jerome
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About this listen

Pulitzer Prize, Fiction, 2005

National Book Critics Circle Award, Fiction, 2005

From the author of Housekeeping, Gilead is the long-hoped-for second novel by one of America's finest writers.

Chosen by the New York Times Book Review as one of the top six novels of 2004.

In 1956, toward the end of Reverend John Ames' life, he begins a letter to his young son, a kind of last testament to his remarkable forebears.

©2005 Marilynne Robinson (P)2008 Hachette Digital Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction

Critic Reviews

"It is a book of such meditative calm, such spiritual intensity that is seems miraculous that her silence was only for 23 years; such measure of wisdom is the fruit of a lifetime." ( Neel Mukherjee, The Times)
"Writing of this quality, with an authority as unforced as the perfect pitch in music, is rare and carries with it a sense almost of danger - that at any moment, it might all go wrong. In Gilead, however, nothing goes wrong." ( Jane Shilling, Sunday Telegraph)
"The gently American, finely judged narration succeeds in combining contemplation with vigour and in conveying a suggestion of mysticism." ( The Observer)
All stars
Most relevant
This is a most unusual novel for the contemporary scene, with its concentration on Christianity and the life of a minister. I found it absorbing, and the reader excellent.

Detail and depth

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The tone assumed by the reader was eminently suitable for this nuanced, poignant story of love, loss, healing and forgiveness.

A beautiful meditation and story for deep thinkers

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The book takes a little effort to listen to, but as the characters interwoven with the history of the time develop, the book draws you inside its world.
The Christian observations invite self reflection. The climax of forgiveness is heartfelt.
It’s a book without cynicism or embellishment and it’s worth a second reading.

The beauty of faith

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Narration was great. Storyline began well but laboured a bit midway, still kept my interest enough to finish.

interesting but a bit laboured. Very well told

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Wow. Perhaps the finest book I have ever been exposed too. Superbly written, Gilead is a masterpiece of the highest order, incredibly moving, the climax touched the deepest part of me, and I am a better man for the experience. Thankyou Marilynn Robinson.

A triumph of our shared humanity. Just outstanding!

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Gilead fills the reader with the radiance that emanates from deep faith in God and the human person. The narrator wcould not have better suited to this book.

Exquisite

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Not quite sure I love the story. So beautifully read though. And definitely well written.

Beautifully read

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Not for me. I’m tired of American religiosity and tales of crusty old men. Also first-person narratives are overdone these days.

Tedious

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