It is so very difficult for me to review Marilynne Robinson’s works, because I always feel like my own prose is inadequate to describing hers. I cried a lot reading Lila, because I understand what it feels like to fall in love with someone even when you don’t trust love or people or existence, when fear and shame are your mainstays and hope feels like an unattainable luxury, or something you deny yourself because it’s better that way, safer. I cried because this novel mirrored the fierce tenderness I feel every day as a mother, the gratitude I have for the sweetness of my children, the appreciation of every closeness they allow me. I cried because unfailing kindness always makes me cry, and unfailing kindness is the undeniable basis of religion in this book, never mind that it isn’t and will never be my religion, though they do share convictions. Lila wasn’t as good as Gilead, but that is asking too much of any book, that it outdo that masterwork. It is, however, an excellent novel on its own, and one to treasure on its own merits. Now I need to go lie down, I’m so worn out, but in a good way, from the experience.
Aug 23 2015
Lila by Marilynne Robinson
- By Doreen Sheridan in Doreen, Literature, Religion
-
August 23, 2015
Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2015/08/23/lila-by-marilynne-robinson/
Recent Posts
- One Giant Leap by Thao Lam March 28, 2024
- Reports From The Deep End edited by Maxim Jakubowski & Rick McGrath March 27, 2024
- Silver Vessels by Steve Orlando & Katia Vecchio March 26, 2024
- The Little Regent by Yewande Daniel-Ayoade & Ken Daley March 25, 2024
- The Sinister Booksellers of Bath by Garth Nix March 23, 2024
- Bizard And The Big Bunny Bizness by Chrissie Krebs March 22, 2024
- The Debt Collector by Steven Max Russo (EXCERPT) March 20, 2024
- The Inventor, Vol. 1: The Dangerous Discovery by Lars Henrik Eriksen March 19, 2024
- Pretty Simple Coloring: Joy by Adams Media March 18, 2024
- The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall March 15, 2024
Contributors
Categories
Tag Cloud
Al
Alternate History
Art
Asia
Auf Deutsch
Autobiography
Children's
Discworld
Doreen
Doug
Dystopia
Eastern Europe
England
Fabulous Ones
Fantasy
Feminism
Fiction
Germany
Graphic Novels
History
Horror
Hugo Finalist
Humor
Laura
LGBTQIA
Literature
Mystery
Mythology
Non-fiction
Philosophy
Poetry
Poland
Politics
Religion
Romance
Russia
Science
Science Fiction
Short Stories
Süddeutsche Zeitung
Terry Pratchett
Thriller
Urban Fantasy
World War II
Young Adult