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The Givenness of Things
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
27 posts | 15 read | 43 to read
The spirit of our times can appear to be one of joyless urgency. As a culture we have become less interested in the exploration of the glorious mind, and more interested in creating and mastering technologies that will yield material well-being. But while cultural pessimism is always fashionable, there is still much to give us hope. In The Givenness of Things, the incomparable Marilynne Robinson delivers an impassioned critique of our contemporary society while arguing that reverence must be given to who we are and what we are: creatures of singular interest and value, despite our errors and depredations. Robinson has plumbed the depths of the human spirit in her novels, including the National Book Critics Circle Award-winning Lila and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Gilead, and in her new essay collection she trains her incisive mind on our modern predicament and the mysteries of faith. These seventeen essays examine the ideas that have inspired and provoked one of our finest writers throughout her life. Whether she is investigating how the work of the great thinkers of the past, Calvin, Locke, Bonhoeffer--and Shakespeare--can infuse our lives, or calling attention to the rise of the self-declared elite in American religious and political life, Robinson's peerless prose and boundless humanity are on display. Exquisite and bold, The Givenness of Things is a necessary call for us to find wisdom and guidance in our cultural heritage, and to offer grace to one another.
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review
pdever
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
Pickpick

I finally finished this book of essays. A long and intense read--absolutely worth taking slowly. It presents a compelling ontology founded on humanism and Christian faith. It's profoundly soulful.

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pdever
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Only a quarter of the way in, but it's already shaping up to be a great read. Fascinating essays by one of my favorite novelists.

RaimeyGallant Interesting. And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
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KatieCarpenter
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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My shelves! Thanks for doing the giveaway! And so many congrats! 🎊🎉🎈

#Rencher10k

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DrSabrinaMoldenReads
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Pickpick

Wow! It is not easy to review this book. A lot of it was over my head, difficult for me to comprehend, even though I consider myself to be a deep, intellectual thinker, much like the author. However, what I did grasp from these essays was unmatched from any of my previous readings about Christianity. I learned so very much from her and was so inspired by her beliefs that I find her to be truly amazing, a spiritual genius. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Notafraidofwords I got a little less than half through because I just kept rereading stuff. 7y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads I know what you mean. I would skip parts @notafraidofwords 7y
pdever I love that I find her writing so challenging .. . I barely keep up with her. It's positively mind-expanding! 6y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads I love reading her stuff too @pdever 6y
31 likes1 stack add4 comments
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DrSabrinaMoldenReads
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Back to the essays this time...

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AMVP
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Always nice when you can tell the bookstore has recieved new stock since you last visited. Found this one I'd been looking for while out with @Dempsey the other night.

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Pen_Meets_Paper
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Pickpick

Luv U Marilynne Robinson!

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Pen_Meets_Paper
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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I love Marilynne Robinson and I love the title of this book.

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BookishMarginalia
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Enjoying these meditations on foundational Christian principles, British history, Shakespeare, complexity, science...

kdwinchester I love her so much. 💜❤️ 8y
kspenmoll In my TBR . Feel like I an constantly saying that & I need a year off to make a dent in my stack! 8y
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ErinKwed
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Pickpick

I've been savoring these essays for months and finally finished. Marilynne Robinson is fantastic and thoughtful and I loved these essays. This edition also comes with a conversation between her and President Obama, which was a delight.

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ErinKwed
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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"These Christians, if they read their Bibles, are not much impressed by what they find there"

Marilynne Robinson has no time for the religious right.

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Mpappas
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Picked this up at the airport bookstore and tried to read it on the moving sidewalk. This should be GOOD.

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Seonjoon
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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"...the spirit of the times is one of joyless urgency, many of us preparing ourselves and our children to be means to inscrutable ends that are not utterly our own." Airport reading, and Robinson doesn't waste time getting to the meat of her concerns.

Notafraidofwords Your ring is beautiful 8y
Seonjoon @Notafraidofwords Thank you! We designed it so we could include stones from both our families. ✨💍 8y
GatheringBooks her "housekeeping" remains one of my favourites for all time. 8y
See All 7 Comments
Seonjoon @GatheringBooks I need to read some of her novels; she's coming to speak at my school this semester and we have some colloquia dedicated to her novels in advance of her presentation! 8y
GatheringBooks @Seonjoon sounds exciting! take loads of photos and share with us here in litsy! 8y
Waynegjr Enjoy her speaking at your school. I've seen her speak three times now. She is spectacular. I think she's in competition for the greatest American thinker of our time. You must read Gilead. 8y
Seonjoon @GatheringBooks Absolutely! 8y
25 likes7 comments
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BookishMarginalia
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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@gibblr came bearing gifts! 🙌🏼👍🏼😍

LyndseyReads Oooh! Good ones. 👍 8y
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GoneFishing
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson

To value one another is our greatest safety, and to indulge in fear and contempt is our gravest error.

Theresa A perfect quote for the time we're in right now! 8y
GoneFishing 👍👍 8y
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Jgoodall_msp
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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More Marilynne Robinson. Hoping to see her with Claudia Rankine in a few weeks.

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KateTheBookworm
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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I need your help, Litsy! I'm catching the train to Tokyo in the morning and need to decide what to read first for the trip. Any votes?? I want to read them ALL first. 😩

Notafraidofwords My vote will always be Marylin Robinson! 8y
Notafraidofwords Or Homegoing! 8y
Chessa Sorcerer to the Crown! 8y
See All 9 Comments
mllemay Homegoing! 8y
Joanne1 Lots of great choices. I love Patrick Ness and Marylin Rbinson, I want to read Homegoing. 8y
mauveandrosysky Homegoing 8y
bookishkai Homegoing. 8y
moranadatter Roses and Rot! Especially if you like dark fairy tales or are a fan of Neil Gaiman. 8y
KateTheBookworm You guys rock! I knew I could count on Litsy in a pinch. 😊 Lots of votes for Homegoing. I'm about to board my train now - let the reading commence! 8y
34 likes9 comments
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KateTheBookworm
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson

I need your help, Litsy! I'm catching the train to Tokyo in the morning and need to decide what to read first for the trip. Any votes?? I want to read them ALL first. 😩

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BooksForYears
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Pickpick

When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Marilynne comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom

Easily one of the most thought provoking books I've read all year, this essay collection takes on fear, gun culture, scientific exploration, the Religious Right, and other prominent issues in America - in a very erudite way. She is a person of faith, but has a decidedly humanistic perspective on the world.

WordWaller Ooh, you've convinced me. 8y
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BooksForYears
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Preach, Marilynne!🎙

Seriously, there are so many thought-provoking passages in this book that I want to quote them all at you.

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ErinKwed
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Marilynne Robinson's burns on point

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BooksForYears
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Better get the aloe, Marilynne Robinson is dishing out some serious burns! 🔥

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BooksForYears
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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General Fluffernutter and I are spending our weekend with homegirl Marilynne Robinson, pondering important things and thinking deep thoughts. #FridayReads

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ErinKwed
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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I started this Marilynne Robinson last night. 20 pages in and I see why everyone is so obsessed.

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BooksForYears
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Pickpick

It might be Short Story Month, but a collection of essays is another great way to read shorter works. And on Caturday, Kali and I both recommend THE GIVENNESS OF THINGS by the amazing Marilynne Robinson!

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kdwinchester
The Givenness of Things: Essays | Marilynne Robinson
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Pickpick

A beautiful book that moves you to think about theology, life, and literature. Though Robinson's writing is dense, the effort is well worth it. Her genius brain makes your jaw drop and wonder, "what am I doing with my life." I will lover her forever. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

LyndseyReads She is one my faves. I love Gilead. I've got to get to this soooon. 9y
LisaMakeWords She's on my list to pick up one day. Hopefully soon. 9y
kdwinchester @LyndseyReads + @lisamakewords : She's def worth bumping up on your TBR lists. 👍🏻❤️📖 9y
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