Given that Robinson's style here - "no chapters, no headings, and only sporadic, unmarked section breaks" - is consistent with both her fiction and her other non-fiction, I wonder what, as an author yourself, your take is on that Karen, beyond the "overall sense of a reader who is simply reading"?
I'm not entirely sure what, as a reader, I'm meant to make of it - but of course the far better question would be to ask what is it making of me? She's definitely not a writer who goes in for listicles and the like (much to her credit) and I think that, for me at least, adds another layer of weightiness to what she writes - that she is letting me know things are complex, not always easily categorised and most certainly multi-layered - so I, her reader, need to be patient, hang in there, think along with her without worry or hurry. It could be a long night's journey into day but it will prove worthwhile and the sun will rise, so keep taking one more step... That kinda thing. Maybe.
It is a “year of Genesis” for me as well, somewhat accidentally, but I’m leaning into it. I read Robinson’s book (and loved it), Bonhoeffer’s Creation and Fall (and understood some of it), and Milton’s Paradise Lost with Karen. I would love to have a good convo about the collective light these works shed on Genesis, what they say about today, and why it matters…
Yes, Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson was an amazing book I’ve read numerous times over the years. However, there’s only one book of Genesis, so I’d be skeptical.
I’m not sure what you mean about the book of Genesis. That is the book Robinson is writing about in her book. She even includes the entire book in the back. An amazing gift!
Ms. Robinson is not re-writing Genesis, she is reading through the book of Genesis and transcribing her (very interesting, erudite and well-informed) thoughts about it. As I read this book, I pictured myself in a book club with others who were reverently and thoroughly reading Genesis, with Marilynne Robinson as the major contributor to the discussion.
As Karen states in her review, "Robinson is at her best when she is simply reading Genesis, bringing to the fore her astute intellect, letting the voluminous library of her mind remain in the background like the ubiquitous bookshelf backdrops for streaming news commentators. She reads with her keen literary eye, spying surprising repetitions, reversals, and parallels woven throughout the narrative, each one laden with meaning and resonance."
You enjoyed Housekeeping by Ms. Robinson. I also did. I think you will also appreciate her book Reading Genesis.
>>Human agency is essential to the biblical story because “God lets human beings be human beings,” and “His will is accomplished through or despite them but is never dependent on them.”<<
That really impressed me in reading the book and I'm so glad you've highlighted it. It's a point that bestows tremendous dignity on all people. She doesn't reach for easy answers to the legitimate and sometimes pressing questions about the interplay between human agency and divine sovereignty, which I'm thankful for. That doesn't mean the questions can't be explored - they often need to be, pastorally - but an awareness and an acceptance of the mystery involved can lead those reflections towards waters that might not be exactly calm but are a little less fraught and foster the nourishing of a deeper faith.
Are you opening the new version at the Substack website with the edit at the top? The original email I sent out can’t be edited. The edit appears only on the live site.
Enjoyed your thoughtful review, Karen. Robinson’s Reading Genesis made the characters seem more real, more human and more relatable to me and made me want to read Genesis again and more closely; even if I may have different theological views than Robinson, that is indeed a great gift.
Here’s another link that should work: https://rlo.acton.org/archives/126490-reading-genesis-with-marilynne-robinson.html
Given that Robinson's style here - "no chapters, no headings, and only sporadic, unmarked section breaks" - is consistent with both her fiction and her other non-fiction, I wonder what, as an author yourself, your take is on that Karen, beyond the "overall sense of a reader who is simply reading"?
I'm not entirely sure what, as a reader, I'm meant to make of it - but of course the far better question would be to ask what is it making of me? She's definitely not a writer who goes in for listicles and the like (much to her credit) and I think that, for me at least, adds another layer of weightiness to what she writes - that she is letting me know things are complex, not always easily categorised and most certainly multi-layered - so I, her reader, need to be patient, hang in there, think along with her without worry or hurry. It could be a long night's journey into day but it will prove worthwhile and the sun will rise, so keep taking one more step... That kinda thing. Maybe.
I’m not a fan of the format in general. It did create a different experience, as I said. I liked it for this particular book, but not in general.
I’m actually not a huge fan of Robinson as many are. I liked it for her writing but don’t love it. Housekeeping is the exception—I adore that book.
The link isn’t working for me.
So sorry. I’ve edited the post and added a new link. That one should work. I’m sure it was my error.
The link is not working
Chuck Clary
So sorry! I’m not sure what happened, but I’ve edited the post with a link that should work.
This is the year for Genesis. It’s the third book I’ve heard about on the subject. Thanks for the review. I often read the books you write about.
This one isn’t my favorite but I’m glad I read it.
It is a “year of Genesis” for me as well, somewhat accidentally, but I’m leaning into it. I read Robinson’s book (and loved it), Bonhoeffer’s Creation and Fall (and understood some of it), and Milton’s Paradise Lost with Karen. I would love to have a good convo about the collective light these works shed on Genesis, what they say about today, and why it matters…
That really is a Genesis theme, isn’t it? Interesting, the more I think about it.
Tara, an essay sharing your thoughts on all you read about Genesis would be interesting.
As you predicted, I enjoyed your review.
I agree that Robinson is best when she is read as Robinson- rather than as just one aspect of her multiplicity of gifts.
I very much enjoyed the book and your review as well. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you for reading it, Will! Glad you liked the book and the review.
Yes, Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson was an amazing book I’ve read numerous times over the years. However, there’s only one book of Genesis, so I’d be skeptical.
Housekeeping is so good!
I’m not sure what you mean about the book of Genesis. That is the book Robinson is writing about in her book. She even includes the entire book in the back. An amazing gift!
Oh, thank you, sounds delightful then.
😃
Ms. Robinson is not re-writing Genesis, she is reading through the book of Genesis and transcribing her (very interesting, erudite and well-informed) thoughts about it. As I read this book, I pictured myself in a book club with others who were reverently and thoroughly reading Genesis, with Marilynne Robinson as the major contributor to the discussion.
As Karen states in her review, "Robinson is at her best when she is simply reading Genesis, bringing to the fore her astute intellect, letting the voluminous library of her mind remain in the background like the ubiquitous bookshelf backdrops for streaming news commentators. She reads with her keen literary eye, spying surprising repetitions, reversals, and parallels woven throughout the narrative, each one laden with meaning and resonance."
You enjoyed Housekeeping by Ms. Robinson. I also did. I think you will also appreciate her book Reading Genesis.
>>Human agency is essential to the biblical story because “God lets human beings be human beings,” and “His will is accomplished through or despite them but is never dependent on them.”<<
That really impressed me in reading the book and I'm so glad you've highlighted it. It's a point that bestows tremendous dignity on all people. She doesn't reach for easy answers to the legitimate and sometimes pressing questions about the interplay between human agency and divine sovereignty, which I'm thankful for. That doesn't mean the questions can't be explored - they often need to be, pastorally - but an awareness and an acceptance of the mystery involved can lead those reflections towards waters that might not be exactly calm but are a little less fraught and foster the nourishing of a deeper faith.
That was one of the insights that really resonated with me.
She certainly does not reach for easy answers. That is perhaps her most significant contribution to these times.
Sorry Karen, link still doesn't seem to be working ..
Are you opening the new version at the Substack website with the edit at the top? The original email I sent out can’t be edited. The edit appears only on the live site.
Ah, sorry, my bad! I was clicking the unedited link. Got it now, look forward to reading the review.
Glad it worked this time. I hate technology!!! 🥲
Enjoyed your thoughtful review, Karen. Robinson’s Reading Genesis made the characters seem more real, more human and more relatable to me and made me want to read Genesis again and more closely; even if I may have different theological views than Robinson, that is indeed a great gift.