Beyond the Book: Background information when reading Gilead

Name: Gilead
Rating: 5.0 (17 reviews)
Author: Marilynne Robinson
ISBN: 9780374153892

Gilead

A Novel

by Marilynne Robinson

BookBrowse Review:

Critics' Consensus (17):

Readers' Rating (32):

First Published:
Nov 1, 2004, 256 pages

Paperback:
Jan 2006, 256 pages

Book Reviewed by:
BookBrowse Review Team
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- Literary Fiction
- USA
- Midwest, USA
- Minn. Wis. Iowa
- 19th Century
- Early 20th Century
- 1st in Series
- Generational Sagas
- Mid-Life Onwards
- Philosophical
- Religious or Spiritual Themes
Genres & Themes
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About This Book

Beyond the Book

This article relates to Gilead

Background Information:
The Biblical Gilead is a region near the Jordan River which is described as having plants with healing properties. According to some sources, the Hebrew origin of the word simply means 'rocky area.' - which begs the question whether it makes an ironic or symbolically accurate title for Robinson's novel?
"Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" Jeremiah 8:22

More Information
An article from Publishers Weekly about Housekeeping
Pictures of the Gilead area.

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This article relates to Gilead. It first ran in the January 18, 2006 issue of BookBrowse Recommends.