Reading Genesis by Marilynne Robinson review – a rich, provoking study in luminous prose
The Gilead author explores the first book of the Bible and finds it full of meaning – even hope – for today
March 2023
Vermeer’s luminous interiors gave us a new way into the inner worlds of others
Kenan Malik
His celebration of the mundane reflected the beginnings of a modern sensibility
April 2021
Top 10s
Top 10 homecomings in fiction
From Colm Tóibín to Margaret Atwood and Yaa Gyasi, these stories reflect on the ambivalent complications of going back to where you’re from
September 2020
Books interview
Marilynne Robinson: 'America still has a democratic soul'
Book of the day
Jack by Marilynne Robinson review – a Calvinist romance
April 2020
Women's prize at 25: what it is like to win by Zadie Smith, Naomi Alderman and more
Winning authors explain how the award changed their lives and share their favourite books by women
November 2019
Book clinic
Book clinic: can you recommend middle-class American authors?
Yes, but go further… there are richly rewarding literary tales from Africa and South America too
September 2019
Best culture of the 21st century
The 100 best books of the 21st century
Dazzling debut novels, searing polemics, the history of humanity and trailblazing memoirs ... Read our pick of the best books since 2000
July 2018
Marilynne Robinson: ‘Obama was very gentlemanly ... I'd like to get a look at Trump’
The Pulitzer prize-winning author is ‘too old to mince words’ – and so she’s taking on the cynicism of liberals, the toxic history of America and the sloppiness of contemporary discourse
June 2018
The Guardian Books podcast
Marilynne Robinson on democracy, religion and Donald Trump – books podcast
The celebrated novelist turns her eye to contemporary politics in a new essay collection, What Are We Doing Here?
April 2018
Books blog
What will you be reading next year? A roundup of London book fair
Feminist fiction drives big money at London book fair
February 2018
Books interview
Marilynne Robinson: ‘I don’t have an ideal reader in mind’
What Are We Doing Here? by Marilynne Robinson review – hope, as distinct from optimism
January 2018
Books blog
Marilynne Robinson webchat – your questions answered on Gilead, Trump and the joys of quiet
The Pulitzer prize-winning author of Gilead, Home and Lila joined us to talk about writing and the politics of the Midwest
Reading group
Reckoning with Gilead's moral vision
Marilynne Robinson’s novel invites readers to both judge its central characters, and to forgive them
Reading group
Gilead: is John Ames as good as he wants his readers to believe he is?
Reading group
Reading group: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson is January's choice
Reading group
Reading group: which book about redemption should we read in January?
October 2017
Top 10s
Martin Luther's children: the top 10 Protestants in fiction
On 31 October 1517, Luther kickstarted a revolution in Christianity that can still be felt in novels by authors from Daniel Defoe to John Updike
