Marilynne Robinson’s 2004 novel, Housekeeping, is an exploration of family, home, and faith in a small Idaho town. Through its sensitive and skillful narration, the novel offers a powerful examination of the power of the past and the possibility of a more positive future.
The novel follows a young girl, Ruth, and her sister Lucille, as they move from their chaotic home with their recently deceased grandmother to the home of their long-estranged aunt, Sylvie. The home is an old Victorian house in Fingerbone, Idaho, a small and isolated town on a lake.
Sylvie and Ruth live in the eccentric home together for one summer, eventually joined by Lucille, and Sylvie teaches them about the beauty of the lake, and instills in them a love of reading, both classic and esoteric. Despite their troubles, the sisters find in Sylvie a place of respite from their chaotic past and start to feel more confident in their own identities.
The town of Fingerbone, however, is cynical and disapproving of the unconventional nature of Sylvie, Ruth, and Lucille. People leave parts of themselves behind in a past that they cannot escape, struggling with feelings of guilt and regret. In this, the novel shows a stark contrast between the lessons of the past and the possibilities of the present.
Robinson’s novel is often characterized as a modern-day “coming-of-age” story, as the sisters discover their own identity and independence through their experiences in Fingerbone. As their summer progresses, the sisters gain a better understanding of themselves, as well as a newfound appreciation for their home and the complex history of their family.
Housekeeping offers a fresh look at the power of both family and home from the unique perspective of a young girl, captivated by the beauty of her surroundings and willing to take risks in order to find meaning and joy in life. Throughout the novel, readers experience the power of faith, love, and hope within a simple yet intricate landscape.
The novel’s sensitivity to the intricacies of family, home, and faith is particularly effective in its portrayal of the changing nature of femininity and perception over the course of one summer. Here, we can find catharsis as the sisters slowly make peace with the past and move on towards a more positive and fulfilling future.
Housekeeping is an often-overlooked yet deeply moving exploration of the power of home, family, and faith. Its evocative narration, sensitive characterization, and unique approach to the coming-of-age story make it a powerful and thought-provoking read.
