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nik_payne's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
michaelpdonley's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while, but eventually I emotionally connected with these characters and the story. It's a book about death, yet it's hopeful and tender. The writing is not particularly poetic or insightful, but the story is.
caraem3's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
randir18's review against another edition
3.0
What do I even make of this book?!
I almost DNF’d. It took nearly 100 pages (1/3 of the book!) before I even felt remotely interested in continuing to read. Things took a turn in the plot and I felt interested, but then it went on a little too long for me and it lost me again.
There was great imagery, I definitely felt immersed in the setting and year it took place. At times the writing was beautiful and there were some really profound moments, but then other times it was really long sentences and I found myself skimming (what I felt) was unnecessary length. Overall, it was also a little too wholesome/religious for me. 2.5 ⭐️ from me; I’ll round to 3 for Goodreads. Just wasn’t my jam!!
I almost DNF’d. It took nearly 100 pages (1/3 of the book!) before I even felt remotely interested in continuing to read. Things took a turn in the plot and I felt interested, but then it went on a little too long for me and it lost me again.
There was great imagery, I definitely felt immersed in the setting and year it took place. At times the writing was beautiful and there were some really profound moments, but then other times it was really long sentences and I found myself skimming (what I felt) was unnecessary length. Overall, it was also a little too wholesome/religious for me. 2.5 ⭐️ from me; I’ll round to 3 for Goodreads. Just wasn’t my jam!!
stacylazodeiss's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bethmara's review against another edition
3.0
BOTTOM LINE: EASY READ. NOT GOING TO BE SOMETHING YOU REMEMBER, SO CHECK IT OUT FROM THE LIBRARY AND SAVE YOURSELF SOME MONEY
The summer of 1961 has the Drum family exposed to unspeakable circumstances. Narrated by the pre-teen Frank, the story follows a summer mark by multiple deaths on generational sadness.
Somewhere between a mystery and a coming of age story, Krueger pulls out his standard bag of tricks which appears to draw quite an audience.
✅Upper midwest setting
✅Teenage boy protagonist
✅Mute/deaf major character
✅Frightening adults
✅Murder
✅ Abusive drunk adult men
✅ Reclusive Indian male character
✅Mystical/religious ending
The man is nothing if not consistent on his writing. This was my second Krueger book and I think it will be my last. Ordinary Grace is entirely in readable, but mysteries are not that mysterious and the one-dimensional tropes around Native Americans and homosexuals are grating and consistently overplayed.
Krueger doesn't leave a lot to the imagination, which is frankly sad because he writes a fairly decent teenage boy protagonist that can pull you in early in the book. He ties this every conceivable bit of book up with a retrospective 30+ years after the main events. I've been reading a couple books a week for the last year I mean only two books that have used this contrived narrative are both written by Kruger. I almost wish I didn't read it because the outcomes were so predictable and trite. I'm sure he'll write 20 or 30 more books just like this and maybe he'll finally nail the ending, but I think I'm going to skip spending $17 a book to wait for the perfect draft.
The summer of 1961 has the Drum family exposed to unspeakable circumstances. Narrated by the pre-teen Frank, the story follows a summer mark by multiple deaths on generational sadness.
Somewhere between a mystery and a coming of age story, Krueger pulls out his standard bag of tricks which appears to draw quite an audience.
✅Upper midwest setting
✅Teenage boy protagonist
✅Mute/deaf major character
✅Frightening adults
✅Murder
✅ Abusive drunk adult men
✅ Reclusive Indian male character
✅Mystical/religious ending
The man is nothing if not consistent on his writing. This was my second Krueger book and I think it will be my last. Ordinary Grace is entirely in readable, but mysteries are not that mysterious and the one-dimensional tropes around Native Americans and homosexuals are grating and consistently overplayed.
Krueger doesn't leave a lot to the imagination, which is frankly sad because he writes a fairly decent teenage boy protagonist that can pull you in early in the book. He ties this every conceivable bit of book up with a retrospective 30+ years after the main events. I've been reading a couple books a week for the last year I mean only two books that have used this contrived narrative are both written by Kruger. I almost wish I didn't read it because the outcomes were so predictable and trite. I'm sure he'll write 20 or 30 more books just like this and maybe he'll finally nail the ending, but I think I'm going to skip spending $17 a book to wait for the perfect draft.
caryncook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nbartholomay's review against another edition
emotional
slow-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
2.5
emkotch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0