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.”

Themes include grief, sibling relationships, faith, loyalty, trust, respect, mystery, bullying, mental health, friendship, community, loss of innocence, forgiveness, prejudice, and the Grace of God. Themes: Thoughtful themes are the driving force in Ordinary Grace as Frank comes to terms with the world around him. If you enjoy a strong sense of place, you will enjoy the vivid world that Krueger creates! It’s a simpler (but not safer) time when kids played outside until the street lights came on and were given quite a bit of freedom. Strong Sense of Place: Krueger writes Ordinary Grace in a way that I can picture myself living in this small Minnesota town in 1961. In fact, once he is described in the book as having an “embracing heart.” I love that! Both boys are kept in check somewhat by the expectations of being the minister’s sons….a situation I can relate to being a PK (preacher’s kid) myself! I appreciate the unwavering faith of the father and the example he sets as a spiritual man.

I loved the loyalty the two brothers shared and one touching scene occurs when Frank enters his brother’s bedroom and assures him he will always be his friend. Frank is the wild and independent one! In spite of this, he shows his father respect. Frank’s immediate family consists of a father who is a Methodist minister, an artistic mother, an older musical sister who is known for her piano skills and a beautiful voice, and a younger, socially awkward brother. Mystery, suspense, relationships, and ethical dilemmas drive the action.Ĭharacters: Told from one point of view, the story includes a cast of interesting characters. Krueger’s effortless storytelling ability is impressive (which, in actuality, means it took a lot of hard work!). In Ordinary Grace, the story is straightforward and easy to follow. Writing: William Kent Krueger is a masterful storyteller and an exquisite writer! It seems to me that the award-winning Ordinary Grace is an excellent example of Literary Fiction (a mostly character-driven novel where the primary focus is on understanding the world, your place in it, and the meaning of life). Told from Frank’s perspective forty years later, Ordinary Grace is a poignant coming-of-age story with elements of mystery and suspense.

The summer of 1961 should have been another ordinary summer for thirteen-year-old Frank Drum, but it was a summer of hardships, tragedy, grief, adult problems, and questions of faith. *This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Genre/Categories/Setting: Adult Literary Fiction, Coming of Age, Faith, Minnesota

Ordinary grace