In Lilla, Lila Dahl, a character we met in Robinson’s previous books Gilead and Home, tells the story of how she was found and raised by Doll, became a part of group of itinerant farm workers who wandered together, broke up and then found her way to the town of Gilead and into the heart and home of Reverend Ames. Lila’s life has been tough and hard, and she has missed out on many of the advantages of a normal life, like school and having a home, but she has the wisdom that she has gained from her experiences and a very different perspective which is both startling and profound.

Lila started out life under the tables in a backwoods bar. Unsure of who her parents were, she only knew that she needed to stay away from the boots that kicked her and the voices that abused her. Into this terrible existence came Doll, a young woman who saw this young child, sick, abused and abandoned and decided to do something about it. Doll took her away and nursed her back to health. Eventually, when Lila was healthy they joined a group of itinerant farm workers who offered their services to various farmers by planting crops, picking berries, tasseling corn, or whatever needed to be done. they would stay until the job was done and then move on to the next farm. It was a good, but hard life. But it was not a life that could last and when tragedy strikes, Lila has to find her own way, and ends up on the outskirts of Gilead in an abandoned shed. Eventually, she finds her way into town and meets Reverend Ames.

What strikes you in this book is Lila’s stream of consciousness and the intricate paths it takes as she tells us her story. Sometimes we circle around, and sometimes we go straight to the core of  her worries and concerns, but regardless we hear Lila’s voice throughout, tender, wise, questioning and brutally honest.

Awarded the 2014 National book award for Lila, and the Pulitzer for Gilead, Robinson has again given us a treasure trove of stories and reflections on what it means to love, to live, to have faith, and to experience grace.

Brenda’s Rating: *****(5 Stars out of 5)

Recommend this book to: Sharon, Keith, Marian and Lauren

Book Study Worthy? Yes!

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