I read this book as part of book club, and though it’s not one that I would’ve picked up on my own, I’m so glad to have read this! It was just what I needed to start 2021, as it is a calming and slow narrative with beautiful, descriptive language and musings on life and faith.

Robinson’s writing is therapeutic and encouraged me to meditate on life’s simple moments and existence. The form of a dying Reverend Ames writing to his young son gives his words meaning in the context of the story. Although the novel doesn’t have significant plot points (it moves quite slowly), I bought in to the writing as teaching about life, belief, and fatherhood rather than a climactic story.

Gilead actually reminds me of the new movie “Soul,” in that they both have the theme of deeply experiencing life, especially the simple and mundane moments.
Other themes are forgiveness, family and fatherhood, faith, and one’s relationship with our hometown. There’s also messages about growth and legacy.