When I Was a Child I Read Books
Ratings3
Average rating4.3
15
Ratings3
Average rating4.3
Of Marilynne Robinson, Michael Arditti said that there is 'no contemporary novelist whose work I would rather read' However she is not only a writer of sharp, subtly moving prose, but also a rigorous thinker and incisive essayist. In this luminous new collection she returns to the themes which have preoccupied her bestselling novels: the place literature has in life, the role of faith in modern living, the contradictions inherent in human nature. Clear-eyed and forceful as ever, Robinson demonstrates once again why she is regarded as one of our best-loved writers.
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These essays address topics related to the culture wars in the United States–attitudes about the nature of democracy, human nature, education, generosity to those with whom you do not share opinions, heritage or class, and cosmology. They are worth reading slowly, partly because Robinson's writing is such a delight in word choice and sentence structure, but also because they are complex creations, traveling through many subjects to forge an argument for study of the humanities. I am not much of an essay reader–I prefer to be absorbed in longer reads–but these essays were satisfying.
I'll go ahead and say it: Marilynne Robinson is too smart for me. I can be a lazy reader, seeking the quick answer, the easy answer.
This is not a book for lazy readers. It is not a book for simple readers.
Robinson is thoughtful and compassionate and deep. She sees past the first obvious answer and the second obvious answer and offers explanations that are unexpected and which embrace all we bring to a book. She is spiritual without being dogmatic and she is kind without leaving truth behind.
A book I need to read again. More slowly next time.
Short Review: I love the title. Gave up on the book half way through. It is a slog. I got the audiobook which was probably a mistake (but it was the cheapest version.) I kept thinking, just because someone is good in one area does not mean that they are good enough to comment on another area. But in the end Robinson usually came around and had some good thoughts. But the journey just wasn't worth it. I made it through right about 50%. But life it too short.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/when-i-was-a-child-i-read-books-by-marilynne-robinson/
