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mjl2994's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Racism, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
tea_time's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Murder
Minor: Gun violence, Pedophilia, and Police brutality
themdash's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
thepurpleseal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Genocide, Gun violence, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Antisemitism and Abandonment
kelly_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Author: William Kent Krueger
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: September 3, 2019
T H R E E • W O R D S
Atmospheric • Tender • Layered
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In the summer of 1932, on the banks of Minnesota's Gilead River, Odie O'Banion is an orphan confined to the Lincoln Indian Training School, a pitiless place where his lively nature earns him the superintendent's wrath. Forced to flee after committing a terrible crime, he and his brother, Albert, their best friend, Mose, and a brokenhearted little girl named Emmy steal away in a canoe, heading for the mighty Mississippi and a place to call their own.
Over the course of one summer, these four orphans journey into the unknown and cross paths with others who are adrift, from struggling farmers and traveling faith healers to displaced families and lost souls of all kinds.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I have heard nothing but glowing things about William Kent Krueger's books, so it's surprising to me This Tender Land was my first venture. Basically all I knew was that it had Huckleberry Finn vibes and involved a river odyssey, and I was quite fine with knowing so little going in. What I got was an absolute treat!
Kent Krueger sure knows how to write! Set during the great depression and following the epic journey of four orphans, it is so beautifully written I could picture absolutely everything - the kids, the River, the sweeping landscape, the desperation. The pace is on the slower side, yet I think it works in order to get to know each of the characters intimately and to develop so many stories within one.
This coming-of-age story covers a lot of ground with major themes of self-discovery, the search for home and belonging, and the idea of possibility. Despite so many obstacles, the quarto persists. I was along for their journey. Another thing this novel does incredibly well is showcase the dark side of American history. Oftentimes, these aspects of the past are swept under the rug on purpose, but they need to be known.
Overall, this is an evocative and tender tale with so much depth and memorable characters full of hurt, potential and resiliency. One that will stick with me for quite some time. This Tender Land was my first read by William Kent Krueger, yet it definitely won't be my last.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who like epic journeys
• historical fiction lovers
• fans of Huckleberry Finn
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Of all that we're asked to give others in this life, the most difficult to offer may be forgiveness."
"Everything that’s been done to us we carry forever. Most of us do our damnedest to hold on to the good and forget the rest. But somewhere in the vault of our hearts, in a place our brains can’t or won’t touch, the worst is stored, and the only sure key to it is in our dreams."
"We breathe love in and we breathe love out. It's the essence of our existence, the very air of our souls."
"Love comes in so many forms, and pain is no different."
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
ginamc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Sexual assault, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Genocide
lisdahl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Death of parent, and Murder
beautifulminutiae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual assault
gena10's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Genocide, Hate crime, Infidelity, Racism, Rape, and Colonisation
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Police brutality, and Classism
lboggsbailey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism