A review by margardenlady
The View from Mount Joy by Lorna Landvik

5.0

Landvik creates a world loosely based on Minneapolis/St Paul in the recent decades and follows the unlikely relationship between Joe and Kristi, over the years through high school and into adulthood. The story really isn't 'about' their relationship, but that is a thread that keeps the story of Joe (main focus) and the story of Kristi (secondary) together. Joe is an eminently likeable character who, at the beginning of the tale is a high schooler whose father had died a few years earlier. He and his mom move to a new place when she gets a job as a music teacher and here the fun begins. One thing after another ends up falling in Joe's lap - a girlfriend or two, a job which becomes a life, an inspiration to make the job unique, fatherhood, and myriad friends who develop from acquaintances. Somehow, Joe makes the best of each situation life presents him and believe me, they are not all happy situations. I was charmed by the relationships and unlikely connections forged through just being there.