From scripture, the word Gilead refers to “hill of testimony” or “mound of witness” a mountainous region east of the river of Jordan, in the present day Kingdom of Jordan.  Gilead is also the name of the second novel by acclaimed author, Marilynne Robinson.  The novel was the 2005 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, the 2004 National Book Critics Circle Awards for Fiction, as well as the 2005 Ambassador Book Award.  This book tells the story of John Ames, who imparts memories and stories of his father and grandfather to his seven year old son. The elderly Ames, a preacher who has lived almost all his life in Gilead, Iowa, writes a letter bearing witness of his family history to his only child.  The novel serves as a summation and testimonial of the trials of his life.  By using theological sermons, and religious symbolism, the book becomes a magnificent story about the relationships of fathers and sons, faith, and fragile human nature.

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