Publication Date: March 2013
Categories: Literary, Mystery, Coming of Age
Source: My own copy
Description:
New Bremen, Minnesota, 1961. The Twins were playing their debut season, ice-cold root beers were selling out at the soda counter of Halderson’s Drugstore, and Hot Stuff comic books were a mainstay on every barbershop magazine rack. 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— which includes his Methodist minister father; his passionate, artistic mother; Juilliard-bound older sister; and wise-beyond-his-years kid brother— he finds himself thrust into an adult world full of secrets, lies, adultery, and betrayal, suddenly called upon to demonstrate a maturity and gumption beyond his years.
Told from Frank’s perspective forty years after that fateful summer, Ordinary Grace is a brilliantly moving account of a boy standing at the door of his young manhood, trying to understand a world that seems to be falling apart around him. It is an unforgettable novel about discovering the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God.
My Thoughts:
Who doesn’t adore a good coming of age tale? I do, especially when it’s done right. This was done
more than right.
Followers of this blog might know that I’m not a big book buyer. There is no way I could afford to sustain my reading habit. I bought this because I’d been hearing wonderful things and because the author is visiting my local indie bookstore at the end of this month. I’m so glad that I did.
The setting of this novel warmed my heart. Small town Minnesota, so similar to my own small town Wisconsin upbringing. Of course I felt a connection there, even if I did grow up a couple of decades after these boys.
I felt a connection to the characters as well. Frank…oh Frank. One day his biggest adventure is peeking at his neighbor’s undergarments on her clothesline. Soon he is facing things that are hard for adults to handle. His younger brother Jake was wonderful. This sweet boy with a stutter made my heart ache.
There were times while reading this that I had a painful lump in my throat. There were also times that I couldn’t help but smile until my face ached. This book was an absolute blessing to read and I’m proud to have it on my shelf.
The Relentless Reader 
my sales rep for S&S really loved this book and gave me a copy to read, but I've not cracked it open yet. I think your review has convinced me to move it closer to the top of my TBR pile.
LikeLike
There are so may coming of age stories. It's wonderful when one is well-written enough to stand above the rest!
LikeLike
Guess what? Now I'm in a reading slump. But, this is next to my bed. Maybe you'll get me out of that slump!
LikeLike
I'm glad to hear that 🙂 It's a lovely, lovely tale.
LikeLike
That's so true Lindsey. I'm always a fan of them but this one is at the tippy top of the list. Gorgeous story telling.
LikeLike
Oh no Heidi! I hope my slump wasn't contagious! You should definitely crack this one open, I think it will help!
LikeLike
Quite an endorsement. It's been awhile since I've read a good ol coming of age story (I think…) Will tbr.
LikeLike
Thanks for the wonderful review. Looks good and I, too, loving good coming-of-age tales.
LikeLike
It's the kind of book that I want to hand out to each and every person I meet 🙂
LikeLike
You're very welcome! It was a pleasure to read and review this book 🙂
LikeLike
OMG does that mean you'll probably be able to get it signed????? Exciting!!!!
LikeLike
I love how indies are always hosting amazing events and helping readers discover new authors. They really are priceless resources. 'Coming of age' is one of my hot button subjects that initially grabs my interest when reading about a book – so this one sounds great!
LikeLike
Wow, Ordinary Grace sounds amazing. I do enjoy a nice coming of age story.
LikeLike
I also a love a good coming-of-age story. This one looks great.
LikeLike
I looooove coming of age stories. Must read this!
LikeLike
YES! You know that never happens here in my one horse town so I'm alllll excited! 🙂
LikeLike
Yes! I want to give a big hug to my local indie 🙂 I'm a sucker for a good coming of age story too. I just love reading about that age. The things that happen to us in those years have so much to do with how we turn out as adults. In my opinion anyway 🙂
LikeLike
It really is Naida, a beautiful story 🙂
LikeLike
It is, it is! I promise 😀
LikeLike
You won't be disappointed Monika!!
LikeLike
Thanks for another recommendation for a good read. This is one I can't wait to read. 🙂
LikeLike
Your review is very inspiring, I like that you added the part about your book buying – sometimes it's good to have a reminder, especially when it says a lot about the goodness of the book. Will you be writing about the author event?
LikeLike
Good! I enjoyed this one more than I can say 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Charlie 🙂 I'm fairly sure I'll be writing about the author event. I don't get to do things like that often since I live in a small town. I hope I don't trip all over myself and gush like an idiot, lol.
LikeLike
Wow. Your review is making me go check my records to see if I own a copy of it already or not and if not, I may have to rethink my self-imposed book-buying ban immediately.
LikeLike
I'd apologize, if I were sorry. Ha ha! I hope you do find time for this one Michelle 🙂
LikeLike
I love a good coming of age story, I do, I do! This sounds excellent, I'll keep an eye out for it!
LikeLike
Me too, me too! 🙂 This one is superb!
LikeLike
This really does sound great! Thanks for the review and bringing it to my attention. Will look out for it!
LikeLike
You're welcome Melinda! I think you'd really like it 🙂
LikeLike
Jennifer, I am so glad you were there yesterday evening! What a great guy! Wonderful evening. ORDINARY GRACE was my first Krueger read & I absolutely agree with what you've said about it. Absolutely top shelf.
LikeLike
Hi there! I wish I knew who you were, ha ha! It was such a great event. Kent was generous and gracious and so much fun to talk to. Top shelf indeed. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next 🙂 Thanks for visiting my blog, I appreciate it!
LikeLike
Hey Jennifer…SORRY, how thoughtless of me not to identify myself. It's the Cable librarian…Kristine…I was happy to visit your blog…and will certainly look at it more often! THANKS!
LikeLike
Ohhh HI KRISTINE!! 😀 You're showing up as \”Unknown\” so I wasn't sure who you were. 😉 Thanks so much for visiting here!
LikeLike
I missed this review earlier, somehow. I've read one of William Kent Krueger's mysteries and thought it was really good, but I'm just not a big mystery reader. This sounds like the next one of his I should read!
LikeLike
When I met him he talked about how this was the book he's the most proud of and how it came straight from his heart. 🙂 It's wonderful!
LikeLike
Lovely review, Jennifer! You've made me want to read the book. Heaven only knows when I'll have time, but it's going on my to-read list now.
LikeLike
Oh, I really hope you get to this one. I listed it as my favorite fiction of the month. It's a stunning/beautiful read.
LikeLike
I really enjoyed this one, too. I love a good coming of age tale. The characters were all very likeable except for the mom.
LikeLike
I'm glad you did 🙂 The mom, yea she was some piece of work wasn't she?
LikeLike