Read: Ordinary Grace

While I was on vacation in the first week of January I read two books, Mindy Kaling's "Why Not Me?" (you can read that review here) and William Kent Krueger's "Ordinary Grace."

I had never heard of William Kent Krueger or "Ordinary Grace" when my mother offered to lend me her copy. It was Thanksgiving weekend and I had finished the one book I brought with me and was lamenting that I would have nothing to read on the plane ride home. 

She handed me the book and on the cover there was a quote from Boston author Dennis Lehane. It read, "A pitch-perfect, wonderfully evocative examination of violent loss . . . I loved this book." If it's good enough for Dennis, then it's good enough for me. 

I fell in love with this book. "Ordinary Grace" is the story of Frank Drum, a 13 year old boy living in a very small town in Minnesota. Frank's world is populated by a sea of colorful characters. His father, Nathan, was destined to be a hot shot attorney. After being drafted and serving in a war, he comes back broken. He seeks comfort in God and decides to become a minister. 

Nathan's wife, Ruth, who saw her life progressing in a certain way, has a giant chip on her shoulder now that she is "just" a minister's wife. To add another layer of complication, they live in the same town as her high school sweetheart, Emil, who is still very much a part of her life. 

Frank's older sister Ariel is exquisite and a supremely talented musician, bound for Julliard after her high school graduation. She's also dating the town golden boy. 

Ariel and Frank have a younger brother, Jake, with a severe stutter. He is Frank's shadow. Frank is constantly torn between the feeling of wanting to shake Jake and to protect him. 

The boys look up to their father's best friend from the war, Gus. Though he has many issues (drinking being the biggest one), he serves as a confidant to the two youngsters as their quiet summer takes a very dark turn.

That summer in the tiny town of New Bremen, Minnesota, there are six deaths. "Ordinary Grace" is a coming of age story. We witness Frank leave behind his naive childhood years and stretch toward adulthood.

This book is beautifully written and the characters are so real. They are flawed and serve as perfect vessels for explaining the human condition. 

New Bremen and the state of Minnesota are like additional characters in the story. As soon as I finished the book I looked up where William Kent Krueger was from (he lives in the Twin Cities) and I wasn't the least bit surprised because he describes the landscape, the summer heat, the motion and sound of the wind, the way only a local could. 

In so many ways "Ordinary Grace" reminded me of one of my favorite books, "The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach. They share many of the same elements: a coming of age story, a quiet protagonist surrounded by quirky characters, a profound loss and a strong sense of place (Minnesota for "Ordinary Grace," Wisconsin for "The Art of Fielding"). 

I can't say enough about this book. If you are looking for something to read on the commute or for an upcoming trip, I would highly recommend "Ordinary Grace."

*Image courtesy of Mom Advice.