Gilead

Gilead is a novel set in the 1950s in the small town of Gilead, Iowa. It is narrated by John Ames, a 76-year-old preacher who is writing a letter to his young son, knowing he won't live to see him grow up. Ames reflects on his life, his spiritual journey, his family's history, and his deep bond with his best friend, John Ames Boughton, who has returned to Gilead after years of estrangement. The novel explores themes of faith, redemption, memory, and the complexity of human relationships, all set against the backdrop of a quiet, rural life. It is a meditation on life, love, and the struggle to find meaning in an imperfect world.