Housekeeping
by Marilynne Robinson
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson holds a well received rating of 3.82 out of 5, based on 28.4K reader ratings. First published in 1980. The book spans 219 pages.
About Housekeeping
A modern classic, Housekeeping is the story of Ruth and her younger sister, Lucille, who grow up haphazardly, first under the care of their competent grandmother, then of two comically bumbling great-aunts, and finally of Sylvie, their eccentric and remote aunt. The family house is in the small Far West town of Fingerbone set on a glacial lake, the same lake where their grandfather died in a spectacular train wreck, and their mother drove off a cliff to her death. It is a town "chastened by an outsized landscape and extravagant weather, and chastened again by an awareness that the whole of human history had occurred elsewhere." Ruth and Lucille's struggle toward adulthood beautifully illuminates the price of loss and survival, and the dangerous and deep undertow of transience.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Marilynne Robinson |
| Published | 1980 |
| Pages | 219 |
| Genres | Fiction, Classics, Fiction |
| Average Rating | 3.82 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 28,416 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Housekeeping?
Housekeeping is categorized as Fiction, Classics, Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Classics.
Is Housekeeping worth reading?
Based on 28.4K reader ratings, Housekeeping has an average score of 3.82 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Housekeeping?
Housekeeping has 219 pages.
Who wrote Housekeeping?
Housekeeping was written by Marilynne Robinson. It was first published in 1980.
What is the ISBN for Housekeeping?
The ISBN-13 for Housekeeping is 9780312424090.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 23, 2026
