Questions About Lila (Gilead, #3)

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Answered Questions (21)

Is it best to read "Gilead" before reading "Lila"?

Molly I have observed that most people's preferences reflect their own experience. I read them in the order they were written (Gilead first, Lila last, Home…moreI have observed that most people's preferences reflect their own experience. I read them in the order they were written (Gilead first, Lila last, Home in between), and can't imagine reading them any other way. They do stand on their own, but they are also, taken together, a very full experience, one you'll likely remember as its own season ("In the days when I was reading Marilynne Robinson..."). In that regard, however you read it will seem like the only way a person could read.

If I were to give any reason for my preference—other than that I prefer the publication order because it's the order I know—it would be that each book examines an increasingly more mysterious or reluctant character. So the cumulative effect is of dropping more deeply into a well.

Structurally speaking, Gilead uses certain revelations to form its central character especially in the final pages which, should you read Home first, you would already know—and as a result wouldn't find yourself growing along with that character through his story. Home pretends to keep those revelations till the end as well, but it's not really trying very hard in that regard. A reasonably seasoned reader won't be surprised by the ending because of pretty obvious suggestions throughout. Given that, I feel you'd be doing yourself a favor to read Gilead first, so the structure can actually do what it's intended to do for the reader. And I wouldn't suggest reading Home last because its overall tone is not definitive of all three in the same way Lila seems to be. I don't think most people would want Home to be the final sense they're left with of these characters. I could be mistaken. (less)

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Can this book be read as a stand alone?

Evelyn I read Lila first and it blew me away. It is definitely a standalone. Lila had the most profound effect on me. I felt as if I were walking hand in han…moreI read Lila first and it blew me away. It is definitely a standalone. Lila had the most profound effect on me. I felt as if I were walking hand in hand with the author as she walked us gently through Lila's life. A beautiful, beautiful book. It should be mandatory reading. I picked up 'The Givenness of Things' today Ms. Robinson's essays - they too are incredible. Her soul sings off the page. She is truly blessed - I christen her my Mother Abigail.(less)

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Everyone is raving about Lila. But I tried reading Gilead and Home before and just couldn't make it through them because of their rambling, will-you-please-get-to-the-point structure. Will I like this book more than Gilead and Home or are they all in a similar style?

Emilly Foster I am in the process of listening to the CD, I have not read any of her other books. I agree with you about her rambling and drawn out, meandering way …moreI am in the process of listening to the CD, I have not read any of her other books. I agree with you about her rambling and drawn out, meandering way of telling stories. If you did not like those other books, I don't think you will like this one, just like I don't think I'll like the others. This book is sort of reminding me of Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman, which was a bit boring and long, but the very end of GSAW was very interesting, enlightening, and worth waiting to read, and based on people's comments on Lila, I'm going to hang in there and finish it. (less)

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Meg

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Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii is there a part 2?

Amy You could kind of take Gilead as a part 2. It continues the story somewhat, but from John Ames' rather than Lila's pov. It's a wonderful book on its o…moreYou could kind of take Gilead as a part 2. It continues the story somewhat, but from John Ames' rather than Lila's pov. It's a wonderful book on its own; I highly recommend it. (less)

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