Published: 2004, virago Genre: fiction Themes: family, faith, theology, love, old age, approach of death My rating (out of 5): ❤❤❤❤❤ Gilead is the first of a quartet of novels, all giving accounts of the same story during the same period of time from the perspectives of the four key characters. They are written from the vantage point of Marilynne Robinson's extraordinary wisdom, that covers not only religious texts, but the inner workings of human conscience. These books are crafted so carefully that I felt as though each word had been weighed and considered before finally being set down on the page. These are quiet books that should be given time and space to appreciate the writing. Even the smallest observations slowly build images and emotions that explain, not only the thinking of the characters, but how we view the world ourselves. Any of the books may be read in isolation, and in any order, but I really think you would benefit from r...