I have a strange relationship with Robinson's novels; although I revere her writing and her sense of using words to create a fabric much like embroidery, weaved painstakingly with utter care and a delicate breath of intricacy, I'm also conscious that she is deeply religious and spiritual. The religious aspects of her prose leaves me a bit exasperated as many of her characters, although lovable, cannot seem to go forward in life without religion and the Bible's messages to guide them. The religious aspects of these three novels have a place for defining these very human and somewhat complex characters, yet I can't help but wonder whether without their religious convictions, they would otherwise be complete.
I first began my literary relationship with Robinson with her first novel, Housekeeping which personally speaking, is my favorite of all her novels for its simplicity and complexities in defining real human relationships. Robinson does a great job of presenting her characters as genuinely complex humans and her prose is so utterly gorgeous in how she defines their lives. But I think I'm done with reading this kind of religiously infused literature. Truth be known that with Lila, I became quite bored upon reading yet again how the Reverend Ames prayed every day and sought to define his life through prayer and biblical messages. Sigh. Although I'm completely aware that American society during the Great Depression was steeped in religious doctrine, I'm also aware that many were not and yet lived their quiet lives without seeking redemption at every turn. Did that make their lives any less important or meaningful? Much like how she created and defined Lila, herself. The first few chapters were very interesting in defining Lila and Doll, but then halfway through the novel, I became uninterested and yes, bored.
I'm glad to be finished this trilogy and I'm not sure that I want to continue reading anymore of Robinson's novels if she continues to define her characters with such deeply religious convictions.