‘Ordinary Grace’ by William Kent Krueger

“He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain, which cannot forget, falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.”

What an excellent novel, I loved it. It is a well written page turner with the best but toughest stuff of life mixed in…tragedy, grace, hope, wisdom, love, and redemption in full measures. I couldn’t put it down until I finished and then I put it down with great satisfaction. This is one not to miss.

The story is set in 1961, small town Minnesota, an unremarkable and typical mid-West kind of place you’d find anywhere–a river runs through it. It reminded me of a prairie town I once lived in. Two little boys who happen to be brothers as well as best friends, are no strangers to mischief, but are shocked by the death of a classmate. He was hit by a train, no one knows how it happened. The boys are thrust that summer, into a world full of secrets, lies, adultery, and betrayal and forced to grow up fast. As they try to understand a world that seems to be falling apart, they discover the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God.

William Kent Krueger is a new author for me (thanks for the recommendation Ina!) and I will certainly read more of his books. The writing style is thoughtfully structured, simple, calm, and strong. The logic of the plot is easy to follow and the characters are well drawn. Although I guessed the ending early on, it did not detract from the reading. Krueger has a mystery/crime series as well as one other stand-alone novel: here is a list.
Other Books by William Kent Krueger