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Housekeeping

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Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson is a hauntingly beautiful novel that follows the lives of two sisters, Ruth and Lucille, who are abandoned by a series of family members, leading them to be cared for by their eccentric and remote aunt, Sylvie. Set in the small Far West town of Fingerbone, the story unfolds against the backdrop of a glacial lake, where past tragedies have occurred within their family. The narrative explores themes of neglect, depression, eccentricity, and living outside societal norms, all while emphasizing the atmosphere and the disconnect between society and those who exist on its fringes. The writing style is described as lyrical, poetic, and meditative, focusing more on thoughts and descriptions rather than action or dialogue.

Housekeeping is a slow, introspective coming-of-age story that delves deep into the complexities of familial relationships, abandonment, and individual choices. The novel paints a vivid picture of Ruth and Lucille's unconventional upbringing, first under the care of their grandmother and great aunts, and later under the enigmatic Sylvie. Through evocative prose and morally ambiguous characters, the book explores the themes of loss, transience, and the search for identity in a world that often feels disconnected and isolating.

Characters:

The characters are complex and introspective, dealing with themes of abandonment, identity, and societal expectations.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is poetic and atmospheric, employing rich metaphors and lyrical language that immerses the reader in the emotional landscape of the characters.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot explores the lives of two sisters who deal with abandonment and isolation through their unconventional family dynamics, particularly focusing on their transient aunt.

Setting:

The setting is in a melancholic town in Idaho, with the lake serving as a significant symbol of loss and emotional depth.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate and slow, focusing on lyrical descriptions and internal thoughts rather than a fast-moving plot.
My name is Ruth. I grew up with my younger sister, Lucille, under the care of my grandmother, Mrs. Sylvia Foster, and when she died, of her sisters-in-law, Misses Lily and Nona Foster, and when they f...

Notes:

Housekeeping is Marilynne Robinson's first novel, published in 1980.
The story revolves around two sisters, Ruthie and Lucille, who deal with abandonment and loss.
The novel is set in the fictional town of Fingerbone, Idaho, near a glacial lake.
Ruthie's perspective is both distant and introspective, contrasting with her sister Lucille's desire for normalcy.
Sylvie, their aunt, embodies a transient lifestyle, complicating the sisters' upbringing.
The book explores themes of memory, identity, and the search for belonging.
Housekeeping has been praised for its lyrical and poetic prose, often described as 'exquisite' and 'beautiful'.
Many readers find the narrative slow-paced, focusing more on atmosphere than action.
The lake serves as a significant symbol within the novel, reflecting themes of loss and isolation.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Housekeeping include themes of suicide, mental illness, family dysfunction, and existential loneliness, which may be triggering for some readers.

From The Publisher:

From the Orange Prize winning author of Home

Acclaimed on publication as a contemporary classic, Housekeeping is the story of Ruth and Lucille, orphansgrowing up in the small desolate town of Fingerbone in the vast northwest of America.

Abandoned by a succession of relatives, the sisters find themselves in the care of Sylvie, the remote and enigmatic sister of their dead mother. Steeped in imagery of the bleak wintry landscape around them, the sisters' struggle towards adulthood is powerfully portrayed in a novel about loss, loneliness and transience.

'I love and have lived with this book . . . it holds a unique and quiet place among the masterpieces of 20th century American fiction.' Paul Bailey

'I found myself reading slowly, than more slowly-this is not a novel to be hurried through, for every sentence is a delight.' Doris Lessing

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About the Author:

Housekeeping, Marilynne Robinson's first novel, was acclaimed by critics and later filmed by Bill Forsyth. She is also the author of a non-fiction title, the controversial Mother Country. Marilynne Robinson lives in New England.

 
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