Rating: 
Summary: Unlike any novel I've ever read
Review: This book revolves around two sisters, Ruthie and Lucille, told from Ruthie's point of view. After their mother abandons them on their grandmother's doorstep, they are raised by the grandmother, then by her two sisters-in-law, and finally by their Aunt Sylvie, who always seems about to join up with her mind, which is always somewhere else.
The plot of the book is hardly the point, however. The words are. Reading this book was like looking at an impressionist painting or living inside someone's dream or reading her mind. Words and sentences on their own don't seem to make much sense, but in the context of the larger work, they swirl to form feelings, images, dreams, fears, and thoughts, bouncing from one to another to form a narrative whole. The resulting picture is utterly stunning, dripping with metaphor and stacked in layers.
This is one of the most skillfully written books I've ever read. Aside from a couple passages I found hard to get through, the book captivated me completely from beginning to end. Read it slowly to enjoy every word.
Rating:
Summary: Fiction as reverie
Review: This is certainly one of the most well written books in English published in the second half of the 20th century. Robinson has only written this novel, but unlike many first published novels, esp. by American women writers in the past few decades, Robinson has written a mature, flawless piece of fiction that never collapses into a confessional narrative; she doesn't fall prey to the hypersensitive, victimized "I." Her story is straightforward enough--a simple plot, very American, of repetition and distillation from one generation to another--two sisters, two sisters, two sisters. It is her language that is remarkable--there are passages so lyrical, yet tolerably lyrical, that I dare you to read them without feeling movement within yourself--the frozen sea shift about. My father read it, and said to me that it was "too sad, nearly unbearably sad." But it is only sad because it is so resonant--it conjures living using language in a way that persuades the reader to be present in the world, with its smells, noises, textures, shadows, tastes. A brilliant, nearly perfect novel.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting, Photographic, Memorable
Review: Those who have reviewed this book saying its unprobable or doesn't pull them into the characters lives must have been doing something wrong. Either they were forced to read it, and didn't spend enough time suspending disbelief to allow the plot to work into them, or they have ADD. Anyone with a reasonable amount of time on their hands and the desire to be geniunely affected by a person's words must read Marilynne Robinson's "Housekeeping." I think those who criticize her for being overly descriptive have never realized how difficult it must be to write 4 pages describing an everyday thing without rehashing the same thoughts over and over.I loved this book, mainly for her ability to describe things in ways you'd never consider. Secondly, I love the book for Ms. Robinson's skill at letting you completely inside the mind of the character, but still keeping you distanced from their feelings. Even the protagonist in the book, a girl named Ruthie whom you grow to know well, makes you question her actions and whether she is truly happy or just ignorant of the possibility of being sad. Ms. Robinson pulls you into to the plot (if it can be called a plot) with her haunting vision of an unfortunate childhood in a small town. Third, I loved this book because Marilynne proves that is possible to write a deep and poignant novel without inapporpriate language to express herself. The fact that she did not use one swear word in the book truly shows her master of expression. If you are the type of person who demands fast action over intriquite writing, please don't buy this book. But if you are a true lover of good literature, this is a book you'll want to own and read again and again.
Rating: 
Summary: This one will get you thinking
Review: Upfront let me state that I think "Housekeeping" is a book worth reading. The writing is lyrical, profound and often awe-inspiring. This is the story of two sisters, Ruth and Lucille. The death of their mother has forced them to live with a series of relatives, each of whom has moved into the family home. The final relative to arrive on the scene is their Aunt Sylvie, a non-conforming drifter whose eccentricities make her suitability as a mother figure questionable at best. She collects garbage in the living room, rarely cooks or cleans, doesn't care whether the girl's attend school, and likes to ride the rails. Lucille yearns for a "normal" life and eventually rebels against and leaves this unconventional household. Ruth seems to lose herself and her pain in this strange lifestyle, and becomes Sylvie's soulmate. This novel is a complex examination of what constitues a "normal" homelife, and how our society places much credence on outward appearances, often caring little for what goes on behind closed doors until it may be too late. While I believe Sylvie was a caring figure, I also believe she was not the best choice to raise these children, and ultimately they paid the price for that. This is not a happy story with a tidy ending, so if you like your fiction that way this is likely not the book for you. However, if you are willing to think beyond the box for a few hours you will be rewarded with a rich reading experience.
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