BOOK REVIEW William Kent Krueger’s Ordinary Grace

Ordinary Grace is one of those novels that wraps you up in a time period with vivid details as told from the perspective of Frank Drum, looking back on his thirteenth summer in 1961. The setting of New Bremen, Minnesota represents typical American small towns with networks of community linking the church, schools, police, and everyday citizens together.

During this particular summer, young Frank experiences a series of tragedies in a location that historically felt safe. As a pastor’s middle son, Frank is an integral part of every situation, which is quite fitting for a boy in his day. When disaster darkens Frank’s own door, he is forced to internalize loss as never before and observe how the adults in his life live out the “grace of God” he has always heard about from the church pew.

I sincerely enjoyed the markers of this beautiful and innocent time within the mind of a boy exploring his beliefs and identity. As with many of my favorite reads, this one covers relevant issues and culminates in a finish that will keep you thinking about your own journey as you leave Frank and the New Bremen community behind.