55 pages • 1 hour read
Marilynne RobinsonHousekeeping
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson tells the story of two sisters, Ruthie and Lucille Stone, and their upbringing in 1950s Fingerbone, Idaho. After their mother's death, they are raised by their transient aunt, Sylvie, whose unconventional lifestyle strains the sisters' relationship—Ruthie embraces their aunt's transient spirit, while Lucille seeks conformity. The novel explores themes of family bonds, nonconformity, and the meaning of 'home.' This novel contains depictions of death by suicide, mental health conditions, and child abandonment.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson is celebrated for its lyrical prose, deep themes of loss and transience, and richly drawn characters. Critics praise its evocative depiction of a small-town setting and the resilience of its female protagonists. However, some readers find its pacing slow and the narrative style overly contemplative. Recommended for those who appreciate literary fiction.
Who Should Read Housekeeping?
Readers who appreciate contemplative, lyrical prose and themes of family, loss, and isolation will enjoy Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson. Fans of Toni Morrison's Beloved and Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse will find Robinson's exploration of memory and identity similarly compelling and poetic.