I wright a children book on Hiking the Appalachian Trail .
it is story about educating kids about the trail.
sow i get what the auther is saying remote area of are county.

I too usually speed through novels but
this story requires me to slow my pace.
I like to compare Marilyn Robinson
to Michael Ondaatje-wonderful images
to imagine and savor.

I agree with Richard from New York, however, there are some very interesting images in Housekeeping. I see pairs. There is the lake, and the mountains. The lake as a monster that swallows a whole train. the train and the caboose; Grandparents=a pair; three daughters - one is gone to China, hence a 'pair of' daughters; each having had a elusive husband. Helen has a 'pair of' daughters, Ruthie and Lucille.
Ruthie pairs with Sylvie, her sister Lucille pairs with her school peers.
The lake has various moods. It is calm inviting; it is turbulent, reflective and stormy, dependable., dangerous. sylvie, as well, is unpredictable.
Lucille steady like the cold freezing mountains, yet deep down she could be warm.
Helen and lucille both determined and strong minded, one succeeds in dying the in living.

This was a work of genius in everyway.. so glad it was chosen this month. It was interesting that the grandfather foreshadowed a the wanderlust and unearthliness we later see in his daughter and granddaughter.

I usually read through a novel at fairly great speed. "Housekeeping" has such exquisite metaphors, that I found that I spent an incredible amount of time re- re-reading and trying to absorb the musical, magical, lyrical words that tend to float off the page, whirling their meanings through a kind of veil which I wanted to penetrate and understand.

I was so disappointed when my Internet went out due to s wind storm, and I couldn't hear this interview until today! I loved hearing about her way of writing.

Amazing that a novel from 32 years ago (which i never heard of!) has such incredible power

I loved Housekeeping. It's one of my favorite books ever. I didn't know a movie had been made.

How did this book come back into fashion after 32 years-

Question for Marilynne: Your imagery is so remarkably fresh. In your writing process, does the language come to you fully formed or do you have to tinker endlessly to get the right valence?

I remember when someone in my writing group said I "must" read this book.

Sorry to say, it was torturous; almost made me read Henry James just for something breezy.

The most extraordinarily beautiful book. Every paragraph made me want to stop and think about it. I also love Gilead and Home. So much is about home and family.

To begin with I am a slow reader but, as I plunged into the book, I knew this would be a very slow read as I took the time to enjoy the beauty of the language - the detailed descriptions of the settings, the characters and events. I loved the blending of reminiscences of the past with visions of the future, the inescapable bond of family, and they way she explicated how individuals are more in our life after they are gone (in one way or another). Loved it!

As a movie, this is one of my all time favorites--so complex (rich), so poignant! ('Haven't read the book.)

I heard such great comments about the book. Can't wait to read and then discuss with you all,