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cindy_f's review against another edition
5.0
Ordinary Grace is an extraordinary story that unfolds in Minnesota during the summer of 1961. Thirteen-year-old Frank Drum serves as the narrator, offering poignant reflections on the events that take place during this transformative season for his family. His father, a war veteran turned minister, and his artistic mother are compelling characters who embody the parental roles of this time period. Frank is accompanied by his younger brother Jake and older sister Ariel, who dreams of becoming a performer. Krueger's storytelling shines through as he captures the essence of childhood innocence and wonderment through Frank's eyes. The author skillfully juxtaposes moments of joy and curiosity with the harsh realities of tragedy that befall the small town. Krueger's ability to craft authentic characterizations adds depth and resonance to the narrative, drawing readers into the lives of the Drum family and the community they inhabit.
As someone who has previously enjoyed Krueger's work, Ordinary Grace did not disappoint. The novel showcases the author's talent for blending captivating storytelling with profound emotional depth. Through Frank's perspective, readers are invited to experience the full spectrum of human experience – from the simplicity of childhood to the complexities of loss and grief. This book is a beautifully written tale that tugs at the heartstrings and is sure to leave a lasting impression.
As someone who has previously enjoyed Krueger's work, Ordinary Grace did not disappoint. The novel showcases the author's talent for blending captivating storytelling with profound emotional depth. Through Frank's perspective, readers are invited to experience the full spectrum of human experience – from the simplicity of childhood to the complexities of loss and grief. This book is a beautifully written tale that tugs at the heartstrings and is sure to leave a lasting impression.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Digital audio narrated by Rich Orlow.
Adapted from the book jacket: New Bremen, Minnesota, 1961. It was a time of innocence and hope for a country with a new, young president. But for thirteen-year-old Frank Drum it was a grim summer in which death visited frequently and assumed many forms. Accident. Nature. Suicide. Murder. Frank begins the season preoccupied with the concerns of any teenage boy, but when tragedy unexpectedly strikes his family, he finds himself thrust into an adult world full of secrets and betrayal, suddenly called upon to demonstrate a maturity and gumption beyond his years.
My reactions
Krueger is best known for a series of mysteries set in Minnesota. Here he departs from that formula to write a stand-alone novel that explores issues of family loyalty, decency, and faith. The catalyst this particular summer is death – an accidental death, a natural death, a murder, a suicide. Through the Drum family we see how differently people react to death in this small town, where every person, related by blood or not, is somehow close to you and any death affects you.
Frank’s father is the Methodist minister, a steady man who is looked up to and relied upon in the community. His mother is not the typical pastor’s wife; she’s artistic and passionate, and struggles to fit the role she’s been thrust into by her husband’s vocation. Younger brother Jake is nine years old and given to stuttering; he’s a keen observer and a good judge of character. Older sister Ariel is a talented musician, headed for Julliard, if she can bear to tear herself away from her steady beau, Karl Brandt. Karl is the scion of the Brandt family – “as near to royalty as you’d find in the Midwest” – and a star athlete in their high school. The rest of the characters are friends, neighbors and colleagues in the town, and all are as richly drawn as the Drums.
Father Nathan relies on his training as a minister, remaining outwardly calm, despite sometimes being as devasted as someone could possibly be. Their mother tries to escape with her music or alcohol; she rales against the God her husband relies upon for comfort. Frank and Jake struggle to make sense of the tidbits they hear, of vignettes they witness, and of the people they feel they should (or should not) trust. Residents jump to one conclusion after another: “obviously” the Indian did it, or the hot-headed school bully, or ….
The ending is satisfying without being pat. I feel sadness for the culprit, empathy for the victim’s family, and can only hope that I would also be given the grace to forgive were I to find myself in similar circumstances.
I loved the relationship between the Drum brothers. I was ten years old the summer of 1961, my brother was seven, and we were free to roam our neighborhood and the nearby “woods,” exploring and learning. So this aspect of the book really resonated with me.
This is the first book by Krueger that I’ve read. It will not be the last.
Rich Orlow does a marvelous job voicing the audiobook. He has a great pace and is able to differentiate the many characters. I particularly liked how he portrayed Jake, Nathan, Lise and Gus.
Adapted from the book jacket: New Bremen, Minnesota, 1961. It was a time of innocence and hope for a country with a new, young president. But for thirteen-year-old Frank Drum it was a grim summer in which death visited frequently and assumed many forms. Accident. Nature. Suicide. Murder. Frank begins the season preoccupied with the concerns of any teenage boy, but when tragedy unexpectedly strikes his family, he finds himself thrust into an adult world full of secrets and betrayal, suddenly called upon to demonstrate a maturity and gumption beyond his years.
My reactions
Krueger is best known for a series of mysteries set in Minnesota. Here he departs from that formula to write a stand-alone novel that explores issues of family loyalty, decency, and faith. The catalyst this particular summer is death – an accidental death, a natural death, a murder, a suicide. Through the Drum family we see how differently people react to death in this small town, where every person, related by blood or not, is somehow close to you and any death affects you.
Frank’s father is the Methodist minister, a steady man who is looked up to and relied upon in the community. His mother is not the typical pastor’s wife; she’s artistic and passionate, and struggles to fit the role she’s been thrust into by her husband’s vocation. Younger brother Jake is nine years old and given to stuttering; he’s a keen observer and a good judge of character. Older sister Ariel is a talented musician, headed for Julliard, if she can bear to tear herself away from her steady beau, Karl Brandt. Karl is the scion of the Brandt family – “as near to royalty as you’d find in the Midwest” – and a star athlete in their high school. The rest of the characters are friends, neighbors and colleagues in the town, and all are as richly drawn as the Drums.
Father Nathan relies on his training as a minister, remaining outwardly calm, despite sometimes being as devasted as someone could possibly be. Their mother tries to escape with her music or alcohol; she rales against the God her husband relies upon for comfort. Frank and Jake struggle to make sense of the tidbits they hear, of vignettes they witness, and of the people they feel they should (or should not) trust. Residents jump to one conclusion after another: “obviously” the Indian did it, or the hot-headed school bully, or ….
The ending is satisfying without being pat. I feel sadness for the culprit, empathy for the victim’s family, and can only hope that I would also be given the grace to forgive were I to find myself in similar circumstances.
I loved the relationship between the Drum brothers. I was ten years old the summer of 1961, my brother was seven, and we were free to roam our neighborhood and the nearby “woods,” exploring and learning. So this aspect of the book really resonated with me.
This is the first book by Krueger that I’ve read. It will not be the last.
Rich Orlow does a marvelous job voicing the audiobook. He has a great pace and is able to differentiate the many characters. I particularly liked how he portrayed Jake, Nathan, Lise and Gus.
lmkramer507's review against another edition
3.0
I loved that I could picture the locations in the "fictitious" community of New Bremen, but the book itself was just ok for me. More commas would have helped, though I got over that frustration after 50 pages or so. The biggest disappointment was that I figured out the ending 90 pages from the end, so there was no suspense to it for me. Also, things were just wrapped up too neatly. The troubled characters either died or lived happily ever after, with most of them dying. If this much death, especially of young people, took place in a town this size in a single summer, it would have a severe effect on the community, much moreso than the people of New Bremen seem to feel as a whole.
Not a bad book, but not such a good one either.
Not a bad book, but not such a good one either.
deanab's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was beautifully written. The story is a coming of age story with a lot of family dynamics along with a murder mystery. I did not rate it 5 stars because I thought some of the story was just a bit too much to have happened in one little town in one summer. This made it somewhat unbelievable. Overall, an excellent read.
maryquitecontrary_22's review against another edition
5.0
A brilliant combination of historical fiction and mystery, Ordinary Grace (2014 Edgar Award winner) had me turning pages long after my bed time. The story is well-paced, the main characters fleshed out, and a just-right amount of descriptive passages to be able to envision the Minnesota River Valley. I will definitely be giving some of Krueger's other books a try after adoring this one. Finally, a mystery I loved!
dltreads17's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. It was beautiful. And mysterious. And sad. And...beautiful.
jrmlong4e's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 stars - Excellent, loved it, would recommend
shareen17's review against another edition
3.0
This is probably between a 3 and 4 for me. It's a nicely written book about a significant summer in the life of a man between boyhood and growing up. It has a little bit of the feel of the movie Stand By Me, with a lot more death and maybe a little more introspection.
denise_church77's review against another edition
5.0
I was totally invested in this family and town. So much life and death and how each person gets through it in their own way. No right or wrong, just different. Loved it!