`Home' and Gilead are, to me, as one and should be sold strapped firmly together. Neither makes total sense without the other but it doesn't matter which order in which you read them, just believe me they are less satisfactory taken singly. I can't really speak highly enough the kind of talent that can so lightly show the ability to carry two sides of a life story told from the two different viewpoints; that of a father and a god father. So flip sides of the coin they are and beautiful in their writing. Choking back tears as you read you may find yourself looking at the world in a new way. In seeing the story from two angles you gain a great deal of wider knowledge.
However, it is difficult and sometimes heavy stuff indeed, so may not appeal universally and I do see why. If you are ready to read at a slower pace and take on board the way of thinking that frets endlessly about the care of a soul, you will be rewarded. This reward will be a revelation, a fine portrait of a good old age and a deeper understanding regarding the importance of family.
Such eloquence as shown in the dialogue in these books is perhaps a thing of the past but what a gift it is. The beautiful old words of the Book of Common Prayer and the Holy Bible are a joy; they sparkle through some of the more dull religious arguments. Today the complicated feelings expressed in the words of the 1950's would include curses a thousand fold worse than the occasional taking of the Lords name in vain uttered by poor, poor Jack Broughton. No comfort in a crisis compared the ability to use an extensive vocabulary and glorious, educated language to explain. An example being of Glory's last exasperated, memorable, words to Jack when she says of his leaving just a little while before his Father will die - "This is it, this is your masterpiece". There is wit and wisdom too, in spades. The kind of `in jokes' that demonstrate a doctoral knowledge of Greek, Latin and the scriptures.
The idea of prayer being a conduit to another's thoughts is carried so far as to make it almost equate to a mobile phone call today. Urgency and terror are assuaged by prayer in a sometime forgotten way. Divine rather than human help is close at hand for dear Glory and her believing family.
While reading this tale of siblings, a large number being off-stage; Jack and Glory are re-forming their childhood relationships into new roles consistent with adulthood - enduring all the attendant difficulties and awkwardness's; stepping gently for fear of stirring up offence and retribution. You should feel kindly transported back to the world of the nineteen fifties when people were more circumspect. Marilynne Robinson writes of measured, touching, gentle consideration of other's feelings at one's own expense, suppressed emotions and acceptance of reality without outwardly shown rage. Resigned and passive in their tender, considerate care of their father; Jack and Glory shine in goodness. Always calling their father "Sir" Jack and Teddy remain polite, mannerly children in their own middle age. The comfort of keeping company through days that cannot be changed but can be made sweeter by a special meal, brushed hair and clean linen. Reassurance shown by carrying out their work in view of their loving father who just savours the sound of their voices around the house.
My favourite quote which describes this consideration was "A failed lie meant his (Father's) suspicions were correct...In fact lying in that family almost always meant only that the liar would appreciate discretion. So transparency of a falsehood was very much to the point." i.e. in today's language "Leave Me Alone!"
Such strong loyalty to the church and preacher as an authority to be revered (as in their addressing the men of the cloth as Reverend) is also something to be reminded of. Silently giving support to their Pastor, the people of Gilead discreetly leave presents of food at times of need and show their caring by putting small things right about the parsonage, all gifts recognisable in their substance and personality, everyone knows everyone else so well.
And there was the terrible `colour bar' to question or accept. We are so much easier about these things today that you almost miss the clues to the true reason for Jack's torment. What a reminder.
The gut wrenching fear of living with a drinker and potential suicide frightens and involves, pulling you into the moment. Sympathy and respect for Glory grow as you read.
It may be helpful to ponder on the apparent futility of worrying as a lifelong occupation, ending so often in self reproach and assuming the mantle of one's own guilt in relation to the wrong doings of your children. Jack's Father's hopes and fears are all the more poignant because of his old age and frailty. I did not feel quite so sympathetic to his Godfather John Ames who seemed to be two steps behind, endlessly trying to catch up with his conscience.
Old values are buffed up and again shown the light of day for us to contemplate, the love of old things such as furniture, books and, well, "Home" just as it always was. Do the young have a duty to keep things as they were for the possible future comfort they may provide to a Prodigal Son? I enjoyed Glory's fantasies of a light, clutter free house and her little preparations for that goal that Jack helped her with towards the end. Household goods were never replaced as any ostentation would raise the Reverend's family above their neighbours which would be unfair, even though this large Broughton family of eight children (most of whom remain silent characters throughout) are well set up by their grandparents' foresight and bequests to the present generation. The house is `free and clear', education is taken as a right and there is food in plenty. Mother and then daughter kindly heal the rifts after family troubles with the fragrance of careful cooking wafting through the house - the house which seems itself to have a soul and character.
If it possible to fall in love with a character in a book well I am pretty keen on Teddy and just wish he had been around more. He had so much to offer and was such a devoted brother and son. In `Gilead' John Ames speaks about the other siblings though Glory - `She has sent out the alarm to the brothers and sisters, that they must desist from their humanitarian labours and come home.'
What a learned and lettered family they are, their communications always richly rewarding, and what a contrast to some religiously based recent reading - "The Shack" for example! |
