Marilynne Robinson's "Gilead" Story aired: Tuesday, December 21, 2004
"Gilead" comes 23 years after Marilynne Robinson classic jewel, "Housekeeping." The novel tells the story of 74-year-old preacher John Ames living a life of holy poverty in Gilead Iowa in 1956. He is unexpectedly blessed by a six-year-old son and marriage to a much younger woman, just as his own life is ending.
The book takes the form of a letter to the reverend's young son, telling him of the 100 years of family preaching -- the fierce one-eyed grandfather who moved from Maine to the Midwest and conspired with, perhaps murdered with, abolitionist John Brown, the pacifist father who sat with Quakers, and John Ames himself, eyeing the world with wonder to the last minute. As he says, this is an interesting planet; it deserves all the attention you can give it.
Guests:
Marilynne Robinson, author of "Housekeeping" and Gilead
