Welcome back to R&W’s deep read of Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson. In this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss the feeling of darkness and mystery surrounding much of this section of the novel. They discuss Sylvie’s strangeness, Ruthie’s eccentric imagination, and Lucille being fed up with all of it. They talk about the role of dreams, the continued motif of water, and the strangeness of death that seems to haunt this family no matter how they try to live.

Next week they will finish the novel. In case you’ve missed it, below is the reading schedule, as well as a link to Rhea’s post introducing Housekeeping.

If you’re journaling on place with us, this week’s prompt is:

Journal about what’s beneath your feet. Choose a familiar location. First, journal on what you can see. Then, journal on what you can’t see, as you “drill” down beneath the surface of where you are. Use your five senses and your above ground surroundings to help you discern what might be below. You’ll have to use your sense of imagination for this one.

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