Reviews

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

nroberts1787's review against another edition

5.0

One of the best books I’ve read in 2020. This coming of age story was so captivating I couldn’t put it down and my heart was so attached to the 4 vagabonds (main characters). It was a beautiful story about friendship, love, and family. I highly recommend this book!

ricksnat224's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• 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

5.0

michelle_ltc's review against another edition

5.0

Loved it. No sobbing, no outrageous laughter, just easy to read, heartwarming, coming-of-age adventure amidst the suffering of the Great Depression. Think Huckleberry Finn meets The Odyssey. I would read more from this author. I greatly appreciate the attention to detail and historical contexts.

katie_holder's review against another edition

5.0

I loved loved loved this book. I may have a new favorite author. I seriously can’t wait to read more. Y’all must read this one!!!

-Did a re-read and it's still phenomenal!

chloesheasby's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• 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

edlib's review against another edition

5.0

Captivating story! Such furious energy from these orphan children. Grit, determination and pure heart. Amazing circumstances and wonderful characters in a plot that has such pure soul. It’s beautiful, painful and so very human. Fantastic book.

allison_sirovy's review against another edition

5.0

Beautiful, heartbreaking, tender, and divine. I won’t soon forget the four Vagabonds.

alhj's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

• 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

4.0

thereadingrunnner's review against another edition

5.0

"I see a boy not quite thirteen doing his best to pin down God, to corral that river and give it a form he could understand. Like so many before him, he shaped it, and reshaped it, and shaped it again, and yet it continued to defy all his logic. I would love to be able to call out to him and tell him in a kindly way that reason will do him no good, that it's pointless to rail about the difficulty of the twists in that river, and that he shouldn't worry about where the current will take him, but I confess that even after more than eighty years of living, I still struggle to understand what I know in my heart is a mystery beyond human comprehension. Perhaps the most important truth I've learned across the whole of my life is that it's only when I yield to the river and embrace the journey that I find peace." -Epilogue p.439

This quote pretty much sums it up and speaks so personally to me. Uplifting, touching, sad, powerful, frightening, revengeful, hopeful... I experienced every possible emotion while reading this. Told through Odie O'Banion's narrating mixed with his craftful art of storytelling, this book definitely ranks up there as one of my favorites. Four orphaned kids run away from an oppressive boarding school with only their determination to escape and their love for each other. They meet up with many different characters along the way who all teach them something about life and themselves. This is truly an amazing and incredible journey for both the characters and the reader. I really didn't want this book to ever end.

abbyplatt's review against another edition

5.0

What a beautiful read. Was truly an adventure to read and I loved it all.