Lila (Oprah's Book Club): A Novel

Written by:
Marilynne Robinson
Narrated by:
Maggie Hoffman

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
18
Narrator
2
Release Date
October 2014
Duration
8 hours 58 minutes
Summary
A new American classic from the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Gilead and Housekeeping

Marilynne Robinson, one of the greatest novelists of our time, returns to the town of Gilead in an unforgettable story of a girlhood lived on the fringes of society in fear, awe, and wonder.
Lila, homeless and alone after years of roaming the countryside, steps inside a small-town Iowa church—the only available shelter from the rain—and ignites a romance and a debate that will reshape her life. She becomes the wife of a minister, John Ames, and begins a new existence while trying to make sense of the life that preceded her newfound security.
Neglected as a toddler, Lila was rescued by Doll, a canny young drifter, and brought up by her in a hardscrabble childhood. Together they crafted a life on the run, living hand to mouth with nothing but their sisterly bond and a ragged blade to protect them. Despite bouts of petty violence and moments of desperation, their shared life was laced with moments of joy and love. When Lila arrives in Gilead, she struggles to reconcile the life of her makeshift family and their days of hardship with the gentle Christian worldview of her husband which paradoxically judges those she loves.
Revisiting the beloved characters and setting of Robinson's Pulitzer Prize–winning Gilead and Home, a National Book Award finalist, Lila is a moving expression of the mysteries of existence that is destined to become an American classic.
Reviews
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Patricia K

This is Lila's backstory and due to the excellent writing, I remained interested in her story to the end. Lila's voice was authentic and sympathetic without being overly dramatic or pathetic. The events of her life were believable and gave some insight into why she became the woman we first met in the first book. Well worth another visit to Gilead, Iowa and the rich cast of characters in the Gilead series.

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Anonymous

I couldn't get into this book, and I gave it a good shot. Normally, I make my way through to the end, regardless, but this one I threw in the towel. I wasn't intrigued by the characters, although I wanted to be.

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Johnna Miller

Loved the story. Held up as a sequel to Gilead, which is saying a lot. The narrator had good voice variety.

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