Have you read ... Marilynne Robinson?

   

Housekeeping (1980), Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award for best first novel, nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction,

Gilead (2004), Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction, Ambassador Book Award,

Home (2008), Orange Prize for Fiction.

    Marilynne Robinson's fiction output over thirty years may be small but it is certainly distinguished. I've had her books on my wishlist for ages and have yet to read them, though her "finely wrought" stories and "sensational descriptive prose" appeal greatly.

    You may like to read the Paris Review interview with Marilynne Robinson (in which she talks most interestingly about science and New Atheism, anxiety, and puritanical hedonism, among other things), but have you read her fiction?

Comments

[Susan in TX]

I actually have the first two books on my shelf waiting for me to get to them. I keep getting articles from people about her -- maybe this is serendipitous that I should put a higher priority on getting to them? :) Reading this link, I found myself even more interested in her nonfiction book, Mother Country. But, as she said herself at the end of the article, "But then I come home and I think, I have all of this work to do. Look at all of these books I haven’t read."
Thanks for the link!

[JoannaD]

They are some of the best books I have ever read. In fact, I think Gilead is my all time favourite novel.

[Anbolyn]

Housekeeping is phenomenal. I read it 3 or 4 years ago and it still frequently pops into my mind. It left me breathless.

[Mary]

I've read all three, more than once. And I've been to Sandpoint and seen the railroad bridge that figures in Housekeeping. She does capture the feel of the woods and the water of northern Idaho.

[Stuck-in-a-book.blogspot.com]

Gilead is on my must-read-so-very-soon shelf... but has been there for a couple of months already

[Simon T]

Oops, not sure why it signed me in with that my blog as my username, instead of my name...

[lizzysiddal]

Home was my 2009 Book of the Year. As a result, I haven't read the others this year - I wanted to give other authors a fair crack at the whip! :)

http://lizzysiddal.wordpress.com/2009/05/11/home-marilynne-robinson/

[Ros]

I read Gilead a few years ago and agree with others that it is a very good book, though I didn't fall in love with it.

[Harriet]

I've read and loved Housekeeping and Gilead. Keep meaning to get hold of Home but haven't done so yet. Something to look forward to.

[Jessica]

I brought Housekeeping the other day but have yet to read it. I have to admit she isn't an author I had heard of until I started my 'American project' but I am looking forward to reading it.

[Aussie Girl]

I read and loved Gilead but I'm afraid I remember next to nothing of the contents. I discovered this when I bought a copy of Home. It continues the story of one of the characters, of whom I have no recollection. I will re-read it before starting Home. Two for the price of one for my ever growing tbr pile. And it sounds like Housekeeping will have to be added too.

[adele geras]

She is one of the greats, no question about it! These three books are among my favourites of all time....wonderful stuff and you kind of feel she'd be more feted if she were a bloke, or am I being unfair? Great American Novel? Look no further!

[Kinna]

I have Home on my TBR. I wonder, is it necessary to read Gilead before Home in order to fully appreciate Home?

[Mary]

Kinna, Gilead and Home are much the same story told from two different points of view. Start with Gilead and Home will mean much more to you.