A while ago I read Gilead by Marilynne Robinson which I thought was wonderful. The premise is a man who unexpectedly, and delightedly became a father late in life is now dying. His son is only 7 years old and he is writing a letter (this book) to give his son information about his life and words of advice, and love. The man is a preacher who, by nature is introspective, and kind. A beautiful, beautifully written book. One to keep and underline.
I wanted another by the same author and found Housekeeping. Also, well-written, but left me depressed and sad rather than uplifted. Two girls are left on their (previously unknown) grandmother's porch. Their mother goes on to commit suicide and they are raised-or rather raise themselves-first by their grandmother, then their bumbling great-aunts, then their eccentric aunt. The outcome is not a pretty one. Their background obviously has mental illness in it and after the grandmother, none of the adults has any idea about children.