Literary Fiction

Jack by Marilynne Robinson. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $27.

This is the fourth in a series that began with Marilynne Robinson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel set in Gilead, Iowa, but Jack stands alone as a truly remarkable work of fiction. It’s the story of a romance between Jack, the prodigal son of a Presbyterian minister, and Della, a Black high school teacher who is also the child of a minister. Robinson is that rare author who commands me to continue even when I think she is rambling on too much. I soon discover that a paragraph ago I missed one of the important twists in the story. Early in the novel, Della and Jack spend a night together in a cemetery. No sex, only an occasional arm on each other or a sleepy head on a shoulder. Soon I am in that cemetery with them, no matter how much I don’t want to be there. As Mark Athitakis, critic from the Chicago Sun-Times, says, “Marilynne Robinson is so powerful a writer that she can reshape how we read.” — Anita Johnson

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!