Marilynne Robinson is a national treasure. I think having read Gilead previously was a great benefit to enjoying this book thoroughly, though it could stand on its on as well. As a thinking Christian, I treasure the passages where the characters grapple with deep theological questions. It too often seems that today's Christian falls exclusively into either the mystical camp, or into the logic-centered world of deep proof. The truth is that a vast universe lies between: and that is where God is found. Robinson's characters articulate this so deeply, so beautifully, that my own mind is opened as well. In addition, Lila is a terrific story.