Housekeeping: A Novel

by Robinson, Marilynne

Description

Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Hardcover. 0374173133 New unread book in stock and on sale - some books may have remainder mark. We often have multiple copies per title - and have over 20,000 discounted titles available. Symposium Books is an Independent Bookstore with locations near Boston University and Brown University & RISD. We are dedicated to providing our customers with the widest selection of scholarly, literary and quality art books. Expedited shipping is available, and we include free delivery confirmation. Reliable customer service, and a no hassle return policy. . Fine.

Book summary

Marilynne Robinson's 1980 novel is a strange coming-of-age tale set in the Idaho mountains. The story is about two orphaned sisters, Ruth and Lucille, who go to live with their unconventional and possibly unbalanced Aunt Sylvie. Ruth, the narrator, is haunted by the death of her grandfather, who died in a horrifying train wreck years ago, and the more recent death of her mother, who drove her car off a cliff. The setting for these family tragedies--the fictional town of Fingerbone and its frigid lake--continues to play its part in the story. As the two girls grow up in this eerie and evocative place, Lucille's life becomes focused on only one thing: to fit in and be as ordinary as possible. But Ruth, who has felt alienated all her life from her surroundings, has a profound need to rebel. The circumstances of these two diverging lives form the basis of a novel that has been heralded as an American classic, celebrated for the compelling strangeness of its story and the lyrical prose that Robinson (who grew up in Idaho) employs to tell it. Robinson's first novel, HOUSEKEEPING was made into a memorable 1987 movie, starring Christine Lahti.