i finished the book Gilead yesterday (finally - it takes me forever to read a book these days). it was so beautifully written - i don't think a word was wasted in the entire book. there were passages in this book i wanted to read over and over.
like one at the end (spoiler here in case anyone ever thinks of reading the novel...) when Rev John Ames asks if he can bless the wayward Jack.
Then I said, 'The thing I would like, actually, is to bless you.'
He shrugged. 'What would that involve?'
'Well, as I envisage it, it would involve my placing my hand on your brow and asking the protection of God for you. But if it would be embarrassing-' There were a few people on the street.
'No, no,' he said. 'That doesn't matter.' And he took his hat off and set it on his knee and closed his eyes and lowered his head, almost rested it against my hand, and I did bless him to the limit of my powers, whatever they are, repeating the benediction from Numbers, of course - 'The Lord make his face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.' Nothing could be more beautiful than that or more expressive of my feelings, certainly, or more sufficient, for that matter. Then, when he didn't open his eyes or lift up his head, I said, Lord, bless John Ames Boughton this beloved son and brother and husband and father' Then he sat back and looked at me as if he were waking out of a dream.
i have another novel written by Marilyn Robinson, about one of the characters in Gilead. i'm waiting though, to read it. i think i want to stretch the enjoyment of her writing style a bit longer.
next to read on my list is Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry (thank you dad). for anyone who has travelled to India, his novels are full of life and vivid images - when in India you feel like you are in one of his novels. or when you read one of his novels you feel as though you are in India...
