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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
saschroeder's review
I really, really enjoyed reading this book. It's a good solid story set in Minnesota, so it was sort of fun to be able to picture the places Hassler described so well in his novel.
teacherpatti's review
4.0
I got this book at a used book sale. I remember picking it up, reading the back of it and then thinking, "I don't know...sounds kind of boring." But it cost about a dollar so what the hell? The book sat on my shelf for months as I read things that sounded far more exciting (turns out that some were, some weren't). When I finally picked it up, I read it in about four days.
No, there isn't page turning, edge of your seat excitement in this book... but that is okay . I liked the slow pace and the sweet story about a family trying to open a grocery store during WWII. I loved hearing Grandpa talk about the trains and his glory days on them. I enjoyed the early feminism of the mom (but wondered if there really were women like that...I mean, I'm sure there were, but one certainly doesn't hear about them that often!). I also thought that it made an interesting point about the lack of a safety net (I don't think it intended to, but it resonated with me). Dodger Hicks was sent to an awful place when he committed a crime. Sure, he shouldn't have stolen something but his punishment far outweighed the crime. It is important to note (I think) that if Brendan's family hadn't taken him in, he really would have been out of options. Perhaps his dad could have made it, but that didn't seem terribly likely.
This book also served as "confirmation bias" for me when it showed how nasty those women were. My suspicion is that the housewifey women of back then (and the ones now) have so little to do that they just make their own drama by belittling everyone else. It is clear that since they have no power in their lives, they must invent some. I get that. And it makes me sad. Or maybe I am reading too much into it and they are just a bunch of bitches??
The only character who I had some issues with was the Wallace Flint character. I realized that they needed a "villain", but I think having an alternative voice like his would have been interesting and perhaps shaken that town up a bit. His descent into "badness" just rang hollow for me.
Overall though, I really loved this book and have checked two more of Hassler's books out of the library. Any book that hooks me onto a new author is well worth a dollar! :)
No, there isn't page turning, edge of your seat excitement in this book... but that is okay . I liked the slow pace and the sweet story about a family trying to open a grocery store during WWII. I loved hearing Grandpa talk about the trains and his glory days on them. I enjoyed the early feminism of the mom (but wondered if there really were women like that...I mean, I'm sure there were, but one certainly doesn't hear about them that often!). I also thought that it made an interesting point about the lack of a safety net (I don't think it intended to, but it resonated with me). Dodger Hicks was sent to an awful place when he committed a crime. Sure, he shouldn't have stolen something but his punishment far outweighed the crime. It is important to note (I think) that if Brendan's family hadn't taken him in, he really would have been out of options. Perhaps his dad could have made it, but that didn't seem terribly likely.
This book also served as "confirmation bias" for me when it showed how nasty those women were. My suspicion is that the housewifey women of back then (and the ones now) have so little to do that they just make their own drama by belittling everyone else. It is clear that since they have no power in their lives, they must invent some. I get that. And it makes me sad. Or maybe I am reading too much into it and they are just a bunch of bitches??
The only character who I had some issues with was the Wallace Flint character. I realized that they needed a "villain", but I think having an alternative voice like his would have been interesting and perhaps shaken that town up a bit. His descent into "badness" just rang hollow for me.
Overall though, I really loved this book and have checked two more of Hassler's books out of the library. Any book that hooks me onto a new author is well worth a dollar! :)
tmaltman's review
4.0
Somehow I never rated this one. I have long contended that Hassler is one the great unrecognized authors in the Midwest. Of his novels, this one is my third favorite behind Staggerford and North of Hope, which is not a knock on the book at all since I absolutely loved those ones (and think Staggerford is a small gem), but Grand Opening is worthy of a reread.
faithemt's review
3.0
a good story. Compelling characters. Sad. Love the good vs evil theme and the Love your neighbor as yourself moral.
full review is here:
https://goldintheclouds-faith.blogspot.com/2023/09/2023-book-review-40-grand-opening.html
full review is here:
https://goldintheclouds-faith.blogspot.com/2023/09/2023-book-review-40-grand-opening.html
raehink's review
5.0
A 1940s family moves to a small Minnesota town, buys a grocery store, and tries to fit in. This is a sweet coming-of-age story. I so enjoy Hassler.