Reviews

تابستان مرگ و معجزه by William Kent Krueger

fav319ch2a_b_carltonicloud's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

kathycolvi's review against another edition

5.0

This book strikes close to home having grown up in Minnesota and born just maybe 5 years later than Frank; I didn’t grow up in a small town there but spent much time in one very close to the towns mentioned on frequent visits to my grandparents on both parents’ sides. The story rings so deeply true to what I remember of life at that time and place and what it was like being a child there and how everyone knew everyone. I knew some stories but surely there were so many more that both bound and separated the people of the community. Church was a huge part of community life and the pastor/minister was a central figure as was Frank’s father in this story.

I don’t know to what extent it is my personal history that drew me into this story but I feel tears, loss, amazement, human, flawed, hopeful and grace - such an overwhelming confusion and brew of emotions. Even absent my personal connection stirring up emotions, this story is one not to be missed. The writing is elegant and true to the human experience - so, so many human flaws confronted and so much compassion for those flaws in response.

What I will never forget is the bond of two brothers and how they saw their world more clearly together. And, the character, Jake - if only we could all see those around us and beyond, as redeemable and with value, we would find our world a better place.

Unforgettable story - not to be missed.

kamslam7's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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

4.25

secretthistory's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

3.25

kduffy's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

shncram's review against another edition

3.5

Too much mystery for me 

mollie17smith's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

4.5

ln2's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

jrmarr's review against another edition

4.0

Grief and loss permeate the pages of this book, but so do love and compassion. A book that challenges us to live with the knowledge of grief but look beyond it to rediscover ourselves and who we love. A hard book to read sometimes, but quite beautiful in spots.

abbymac99's review against another edition

5.0

I. Loved. This. Book. It’s simple, heart wrenching, beautiful, and just brilliant. wrapped up in the themes of loss and coming of age, this book transports you back to a 1960s small town childhood in which the stories feel so real and powerful. There’s even some mystery and though the ending was predictable it was so good that I didn’t care. AND the best part is that it points to God - his grace and presence in the midst of tragedy - in the most subtle yet beautiful way