Gilead

October, we took a break from Cosi and talked about Gilead at the luscious Naked Chocolate cafe in Philadelphia. Overall, I think we agreed that the book was well written but its spirituality and verbosity was a little off-putting.

Please bring your book choices for our end of the year vote a) a book that you've read but would like to re-read and/or a book by a minority author b) a summer read (over 450 pages)I will be providing a third list of Pulitzer Prize winning authors for you all to vote on.

Our next book meeting is on 11/20 at 6 p.m. for Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller.

Here are some of the basic questions that were asked at the last meeting:

1. What do you think of the writing style?
2. Why do you think Marilynne Robinson named the town, Gilead?
3. Why do you think she set this novel in 1956? How is the idea of freedom explored?
4. What is your impression of John Ames, the narrator of the story? What does the role of Jack Boughton serve in the novel?
5. Faith is clearly a central theme in this book? How is, for instance, baptism play a role in the book?
6. What role does the “second chance” have in this novel (i.e. John Ames 2nd marriage and John Boughton’s 2nd child?
7. How is marriage and love portrayed in the story?
   What did you think of the ending? Do you think that Gilead would be accepting of a mixed raced marriage?
8. What do you think that John Ames’ child will think of him after he has read this letter? What do you think happen to Jack Ames’ wife after he passes?