'Grace and intelligence . Marilynne Robinson defines universal truths about what it means to be human' Barack Obama Setting her novel after World War II, just before Gilead , Home and Lila , Marilynne Robinson returns to the world of Gilead. Jack, the grieved-over prodigal son, a drunkard and a ne'er-do-well has left home for St Louis. In that segregated city Jack falls in love with an African-American high school teacher, also a preacher's child. Della Miles is a woman with a discriminating mind, a generous spirit and an independent will. Jack is their fraught and beautiful love story. 'An unlikely love story, both funny and sublime: we see two souls awakening to love in that down-to-earth yet transcendent vein that is Robinson's special hallmark' Nonnie Minogue, Literary Review 'Jack fits beautifully into the subtle weave of Robinson's Gilead books . could perfectly well be read on its own' Erica Wagner, Financial Times 'An immensely satisfying and bittersweet end to an astonishing series .

They are beautiful, and they are true' Stuart Kelly, Scotsman.