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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.
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.
crubenzer0802's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
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
donnar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mackj14's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
aksmith92's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.5
The Setup: This Tender Land is a beautifully crafted historical novel set during the Great Depression. It follows the journey of four orphans—Odie, his older brother Albert, their Native American friend Mose, and a young girl named Emmy. Fleeing the brutal conditions at the Lincoln Indian Training School in Minnesota, they embark on an epic journey down the Gilead River, seeking freedom and a place to call home.
The novel is rich in themes of resilience, friendship, and the search for identity amidst the backdrop of a troubled America. Krueger masterfully captures the era's social injustices, particularly the harsh realities faced by orphans and Native American children. As the children encounter kindness and cruelty along their journey, they learn profound lessons about trust, love, and the human spirit.
The story is not just about the physical journey but also explores moral choices, the complexities of faith, and the enduring power of hope. Through Odie's narration, readers are immersed in a poignant tale that skillfully balances adventure with deep emotional and spiritual growth, even for a barely thirteen-year-old!
What I Loved: This story was compelling. It was filled with vivid characters and an evocative portrayal of the American Midwest during one of its most challenging periods. All the characters were original and unique and provided interesting perspectives in the novel, even if you didn't necessarily like them. Anyone reading this story would likely be hesitant to put it down. Kent Krueger is a storyteller, and for that, I am so grateful. I loved exploring faith, love, and hope and how each person battles with that exploration and journey. I loved the tie to family and what family means. I also loved the characters and felt attached to them as they worked their way down the Gilead River to a better future. It was a complex and complicated read - this is slightly historical in the early 1930s - times were insensitive, and this novel had some challenging topics. But I was immersed and loved it.
Why Not 5 Stars? I was close to rating this five stars, but unfortunately, it just fell slightly through the cracks at the end. While I absolutely adored this novel, the ending felt rushed. Kent Krueger was trying to tie everything into a neat bow, and while I do think he did that successfully, it was all somewhat thrown at you in the end.
I must say, though, that I did like the official ending. There was a bit of a plot twist I didn't see coming. So, even if it was slightly rushed and thrown together, I did enjoy it nonetheless.
Overall, This Tender Land will stay with me for a while. It's a beautiful story with even a dose of magic (maybe!). I would highly recommend it.
The novel is rich in themes of resilience, friendship, and the search for identity amidst the backdrop of a troubled America. Krueger masterfully captures the era's social injustices, particularly the harsh realities faced by orphans and Native American children. As the children encounter kindness and cruelty along their journey, they learn profound lessons about trust, love, and the human spirit.
The story is not just about the physical journey but also explores moral choices, the complexities of faith, and the enduring power of hope. Through Odie's narration, readers are immersed in a poignant tale that skillfully balances adventure with deep emotional and spiritual growth, even for a barely thirteen-year-old!
What I Loved: This story was compelling. It was filled with vivid characters and an evocative portrayal of the American Midwest during one of its most challenging periods. All the characters were original and unique and provided interesting perspectives in the novel, even if you didn't necessarily like them. Anyone reading this story would likely be hesitant to put it down. Kent Krueger is a storyteller, and for that, I am so grateful. I loved exploring faith, love, and hope and how each person battles with that exploration and journey. I loved the tie to family and what family means. I also loved the characters and felt attached to them as they worked their way down the Gilead River to a better future. It was a complex and complicated read - this is slightly historical in the early 1930s - times were insensitive, and this novel had some challenging topics. But I was immersed and loved it.
Why Not 5 Stars? I was close to rating this five stars, but unfortunately, it just fell slightly through the cracks at the end. While I absolutely adored this novel, the ending felt rushed. Kent Krueger was trying to tie everything into a neat bow, and while I do think he did that successfully, it was all somewhat thrown at you in the end.
I must say, though, that I did like the official ending. There was a bit of a plot twist I didn't see coming. So, even if it was slightly rushed and thrown together, I did enjoy it nonetheless.
Overall, This Tender Land will stay with me for a while. It's a beautiful story with even a dose of magic (maybe!). I would highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Cultural appropriation, and Classism
tdeitcher's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
maggiehart's review against another edition
5.0
Great story. Loved the vagabonds and I liked the authors writing.
“Albert, who was four years older and a whole lot wiser, told me that people are most afraid of things I don’t understand, and if something frightened you, you should get closer to it.” Page 5 and 6
Cora Frost and Faria the rat’s death
“Albert, who was four years older and a whole lot wiser, told me that people are most afraid of things I don’t understand, and if something frightened you, you should get closer to it.” Page 5 and 6
Cora Frost and Faria the rat’s death
sburgart's review against another edition
5.0
1 star- that’s what I give books with r*pe/pediph*lia but it wasn’t explicit, but a LOT of allusion, and the story so good I have to give it the true rating. This is a great read for someone wanting to just begin learning about the atrocities that are Residential Schools. The 1932 setting is just removed enough to create a ‘fanciful’ setting, but these harsh realities are today’s. Very good book. It’ll stick with me a while.
Though, I have to agree with Albert. One by one.
Though, I have to agree with Albert. One by one.