Gilead

n 1956, toward the end of Reverend John Ames's life, he begins a letter to his young son, an account of himself and his forebears. Ames is the son of an Iowa preacher and the grandson of a minister who, as a young man in Maine, saw a vision and came west to Kansas to fight for abolition. Reverend Ames tells a story of the sacred bonds between fathers and sons, which are tested in his tender and strained relationship with his best friend's wayward son. Gilead is the long-hoped-for second novel by one of our finest writers, a hymn of praise and lamentation to the God-haunted existence that Reverend Ames loves passionately, and from which he will soon part.

MARILYNNE ROBINSON is the author of the novels Home, Gileadwinner of the Pulitzer PrizeHousekeeping and Lila, and four books of non-fiction, Mother Country, The Death of Adam, Absence of Mind and When I Was a Child I Read Books. She teaches at the University of Iowa Writers Workshop.

Tim Jerome has had a long career performing on and off Broadway and on the big screen. His countless stage performances include roles in "Disney's Tarzan, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, " and "Cats". He was nominated for the Drama Desk and Tony Awards for his performance in "Me and My Girl". His film credits include "Streets of New York, Thirteen Days, Husbands and Wives, " and "Spiderman 2". On television, Tim has had featured roles in "Law and Order, Third Watch, " and others. Tim has also had a long career in radio and audio. He has won Earphone and Audie Awards for his audiobook performances. His many audiobook credits include narrating Marilynne Robinson's 2004 Pulitzer Prize winning novel "Gilead", published by Macmillan Audio.