Marilynne Robinson and theology

The American author Marilynne Robinson is, in her five novels as much as in her half a dozen collection of essays, not only an accomplished novelist but also a theologian. With a rare depth, she energetically treats central theological, ethical, and philosophical questions, in sharp and challenging essays and in aesthetically advanced and kaleidoscopic novels. The essays in the present volume study, from various perspectives, the intersection between theology and the entire corpus (except for the most recent novel published in 2020) of Robinson's writings. The first section, "On Theology", analyzes her theology from the more general perspectives of poetics, science, and history, whereas the second, "On the Novels", collects contributions that have one of Robinson's three novels Gilead, Home, or Lila as their particular focus. Common to all these essays is the attempt to understand why and how Robinson is one of our age's most celebrated authors on home and homelessness, and on faith, grace and hope in the midst of despair.