Full steam ahead, or leaves on the line? What did members make of Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping? In March the Tyneside Book Club discussed Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson.
Her first novel is seen by many as a modern classic with The Observer naming it as one of the 100 Greatest Novels of all time.
And there was plenty of praise for the Housekeeping, though some found it harder going than others.
Admirers in the group found it haunting, and atmospheric. It was seen as an effective and affecting exploration of the trauma, grief and mental illness.
There was some discussion about whether Sylvie, who becomes the carer of her two nieces, was a bad parent or not. She clearly had mental health problems, but some thought she still provided care and support, and drew a contrast with the behaviour of the two great aunts. For others though her vagueness and neglect called for a social services intervention!
Members admired Robinson's ability to draw vivid images of the small town setting and the surrounding countryside, and some of the scenes had a beauty and poetry to them.
There was also the discussion about the eventual choices of the two siblings. For some Ruth's future looked bleak, while Lucille had decided to take control and escape that fate. But for others Lucille's decision to opt for a conventional future actually wasn't necessarily any more of a guarantee of happiness than Ruth's more unusual path, particularly in a period of American history where women did not have as much freedom.
Some found Robinson's prose a little dense, purple and biblical for their tastes and that made it harder to appreciate it. But most did find they settled into its rhythm and style as the book progressed. There was agreement that this was writing of high quality, and a novel that offered plenty of room for discussion.
Her first novel is seen by many as a modern classic with The Observer naming it as one of the 100 Greatest Novels of all time.
And there was plenty of praise for the Housekeeping, though some found it harder going than others.
Admirers in the group found it haunting, and atmospheric. It was seen as an effective and affecting exploration of the trauma, grief and mental illness.
There was some discussion about whether Sylvie, who becomes the carer of her two nieces, was a bad parent or not. She clearly had mental health problems, but some thought she still provided care and support, and drew a contrast with the behaviour of the two great aunts. For others though her vagueness and neglect called for a social services intervention!
Members admired Robinson's ability to draw vivid images of the small town setting and the surrounding countryside, and some of the scenes had a beauty and poetry to them.
There was also the discussion about the eventual choices of the two siblings. For some Ruth's future looked bleak, while Lucille had decided to take control and escape that fate. But for others Lucille's decision to opt for a conventional future actually wasn't necessarily any more of a guarantee of happiness than Ruth's more unusual path, particularly in a period of American history where women did not have as much freedom.
Some found Robinson's prose a little dense, purple and biblical for their tastes and that made it harder to appreciate it. But most did find they settled into its rhythm and style as the book progressed. There was agreement that this was writing of high quality, and a novel that offered plenty of room for discussion.
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