A Book I Wish I Had Written: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“This whole town does look like whatever hope becomes after it begins to weary a little, then weary a little more. But hope deferred is still hope.”

Oh, my. This is one of the best books I’ve read.

It’s so full of insights and emotion, as well as the conflicts that each of us share between what is right and what we desire. Or fear.

The narrator, John Ames, knows he’s dying. He’s taken this opportunity to share some words with his son. He shares a little bit of history, a little bit of theology, and a lot of his own fatherly uncertainty and hopes and dreams and dreads.

I was brought to tears more than once by this book, and I’m not easily brought to tears.

It’s lovely to see how John’s intentions to pass along great words of wisdom and guidance to his son turn into the authentic ruminations that will certainly offer his son more direction than any sermon could. His father is a fallible man, an imperfect man, but a good man. He’s suffered through pain and despair, jealousy and covetise, and now, at the end of his life, is fully and truly thankful for the bounty he’s received. His words reveal an all-encompassing love of his son. Every child deserves this gift from his parents; to know that he is the apple of his parents’ eyes, the most perfect creature in Creation.

I want to go back and read this book again right now. It was that good.

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