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The Saints of Whistle Grove
After 150 years of preaching the Gospel, the little country parish of Whistle Grove has closed its doors for good, but the faithful Rev. Edmund G. Oglethorpe remains. There is the empty building and the crumbling cemetery to maintain, and who else will bury old Miriam Werth when the time comes?
Told through the voices of generations past and present, The Saints of Whistle Grove follows the journey of a son in search of his mother, a daughter in need of connection, a family without a home, and the cemetery that brings them all together.
Join the blessed saints of Whistle Grove in pondering the wondrous mystery that, whoever believes in Christ, “though he die, yet shall he live.”
Told through the voices of generations past and present, The Saints of Whistle Grove follows the journey of a son in search of his mother, a daughter in need of connection, a family without a home, and the cemetery that brings them all together.
Join the blessed saints of Whistle Grove in pondering the wondrous mystery that, whoever believes in Christ, “though he die, yet shall he live.”
315 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2023
10 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Katie Schuermann
10 books195 followersKatie Schuermann is "a first-class storyteller” (Cameron MacKenzie, 2023) whose “earthy and joyful” (Mark A. Miller, 2014) voice is as refreshing and invigorating as the Midwestern sunshine in which she was raised. Writing in vignettes which so perfectly suit the charm of small-town life, Schuermann's stories call to mind the warmth and realism of Montgomery's Avonlea as well as the grounded sense of place and community of Berry’s Port William.
When not writing, Schuermann can be found singing, gardening, cooking, holding babies, or trying to climb the nearest tree.
When not writing, Schuermann can be found singing, gardening, cooking, holding babies, or trying to climb the nearest tree.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
March 26, 2024
We have lost the art of waiting in this world, I think. Even in death.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I had a great deal of anticipation for this novel. I made sure I pre-ordered it, and I even made fun of my own impatience during my wait as I followed shipping tracking updates.
It was worth the wait, and it provided a lesson in waiting as well as witness.
I'm already planning on rereading this novel sooner rather than later because there is too much in it to fully take in on a first read. However, it is clear on a first read that this is an exceptional novel that can only be the product of someone who has learned to see, hear, and appreciate the varied witness of the great cloud of witnesses God has placed around us; who understands how God sanctifies the joys and sorrows—the tears and laughter—of His faithful, no matter how ordinary or not each moment may appear at first glance. Behind every gravestone is the story of one beloved.
Church bells toll to remember the dead, and this novel rings forth the witness of faithful saints who, while resting from earthly labors in death, have not ceased the witness of their faith and their wait for the resurrection. The witness of a church doesn't end with its closing or the decay of a building, and the witness of a saint doesn't end with his or her death. Their witness has been added to the witness of the Church, and that witness will never be destroyed or silenced, but will toll on earth in anticipation of the Last Day, and then continue in heaven for eternity.
Because—hopefully you've heard, but in case you haven't let me now assure you—the dead are going to rise in the end.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Built on the Rock the Church shall stand
Even when steeples are falling.
Crumbled have spires in ev'ry land;
Bells still are chiming and calling,
Calling the young and old to rest,
But above all the soul distressed,
Longing for rest everlasting.
Grant, then, O God, Your will be done,
That, when the church bells are ringing,
Many in saving faith may come
Where Christ His message is bringing:
"I know My own; My own know Me.
You, not the world, My face shall see.
My peace I leave with you. Amen."
(Lutheran Service Book 645:1,5)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I had a great deal of anticipation for this novel. I made sure I pre-ordered it, and I even made fun of my own impatience during my wait as I followed shipping tracking updates.
It was worth the wait, and it provided a lesson in waiting as well as witness.
I'm already planning on rereading this novel sooner rather than later because there is too much in it to fully take in on a first read. However, it is clear on a first read that this is an exceptional novel that can only be the product of someone who has learned to see, hear, and appreciate the varied witness of the great cloud of witnesses God has placed around us; who understands how God sanctifies the joys and sorrows—the tears and laughter—of His faithful, no matter how ordinary or not each moment may appear at first glance. Behind every gravestone is the story of one beloved.
Church bells toll to remember the dead, and this novel rings forth the witness of faithful saints who, while resting from earthly labors in death, have not ceased the witness of their faith and their wait for the resurrection. The witness of a church doesn't end with its closing or the decay of a building, and the witness of a saint doesn't end with his or her death. Their witness has been added to the witness of the Church, and that witness will never be destroyed or silenced, but will toll on earth in anticipation of the Last Day, and then continue in heaven for eternity.
Because—hopefully you've heard, but in case you haven't let me now assure you—the dead are going to rise in the end.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Built on the Rock the Church shall stand
Even when steeples are falling.
Crumbled have spires in ev'ry land;
Bells still are chiming and calling,
Calling the young and old to rest,
But above all the soul distressed,
Longing for rest everlasting.
Grant, then, O God, Your will be done,
That, when the church bells are ringing,
Many in saving faith may come
Where Christ His message is bringing:
"I know My own; My own know Me.
You, not the world, My face shall see.
My peace I leave with you. Amen."
(Lutheran Service Book 645:1,5)
February 1, 2024
It's hard to know where to begin with this one. Scholars in the future will write their master's theses on The Saints of Whistle Grove. This — relatively and deceptively little — volume is a legit powerhouse of contemporary literary fiction, and, if there's any justice in the world, time will prove it a seminal Christian work.
It's been several weeks, but thinking about this book still is like gazing at a well-cut diamond that is constantly catching the light in a new and beautiful way. If I wrote down every noteworthy feature, I'd have a master's thesis of my own by the time I was finished. Only this morning, it struck me that there are at least 2 sets of characters with plot arcs in counterpoint (like what Tolstoy did with Anna Karenina and Princess Kitty). Katie Schuermann is over here with the literary equivalent of Bach.
Now, Bach IS good for everyone, but not everyone likes Bach. Sometimes he is an acquired taste. Maybe, upon first listen, some of his stylistic choices seem a little challenging or even jarring. Maybe he makes some poor soprano hit a note you'd rather pretend doesn't exist. Maybe you find yourself thinking a particular motet has gone on for quite long enough, and you would like to move along. Fortunately, Bach's aims have never been to please you, so much as to help you understand and internalize important and true things. There is nothing wrong with Bach's music, it is just right. But it has the ability to expose the uncomfortable truth that there is something wrong with you (all while pointing you to the One who fixes everything).
I do like me both some Bach and The Saints of Whistle Grove, mostly in the normal way but sometimes in the way my toddler likes it when I save his life. As a general rule I do not much care to spend the better part of a book in tears, but 1) I will tolerate it if I believe the author loves her readers and is doing something actually quite impressive, which is the case here, and 2) just as my children in various ages and stages of sanctification react differently to words of law and gospel, reader experience with The Saints of Whistle Grove will vary. This is one of many, many ways the book is true to life.
I've gone on for quite a bit now without having said much of anything specific about the actual contents of this book. You really just have to read it. I will conclude with 3 short personal comments:
1) I love the Narrator and point of view. Such a bold choice, I'm almost scandalized. But it is very reverent and well done!
2) A crowded field, but my favorite saint is Georgia. I am haunted by how strongly I sympathize with the way she played the hand she was dealt.
3) I'm convinced the author personally wrote some parts of this book while thinking about me, specifically my griping about Colonel Brandon being too old for Marianne. I do love those parts, regardless of whether my theory is true. There are other things that feel like they were tucked into the Grove just for me, but some of these are things I haven't thought or spoken much about at all in maybe 20 years. So I will chalk that up to the universal scope of human experience that is woven into the pages of this book.
It's been several weeks, but thinking about this book still is like gazing at a well-cut diamond that is constantly catching the light in a new and beautiful way. If I wrote down every noteworthy feature, I'd have a master's thesis of my own by the time I was finished. Only this morning, it struck me that there are at least 2 sets of characters with plot arcs in counterpoint (like what Tolstoy did with Anna Karenina and Princess Kitty). Katie Schuermann is over here with the literary equivalent of Bach.
Now, Bach IS good for everyone, but not everyone likes Bach. Sometimes he is an acquired taste. Maybe, upon first listen, some of his stylistic choices seem a little challenging or even jarring. Maybe he makes some poor soprano hit a note you'd rather pretend doesn't exist. Maybe you find yourself thinking a particular motet has gone on for quite long enough, and you would like to move along. Fortunately, Bach's aims have never been to please you, so much as to help you understand and internalize important and true things. There is nothing wrong with Bach's music, it is just right. But it has the ability to expose the uncomfortable truth that there is something wrong with you (all while pointing you to the One who fixes everything).
I do like me both some Bach and The Saints of Whistle Grove, mostly in the normal way but sometimes in the way my toddler likes it when I save his life. As a general rule I do not much care to spend the better part of a book in tears, but 1) I will tolerate it if I believe the author loves her readers and is doing something actually quite impressive, which is the case here, and 2) just as my children in various ages and stages of sanctification react differently to words of law and gospel, reader experience with The Saints of Whistle Grove will vary. This is one of many, many ways the book is true to life.
I've gone on for quite a bit now without having said much of anything specific about the actual contents of this book. You really just have to read it. I will conclude with 3 short personal comments:
1) I love the Narrator and point of view. Such a bold choice, I'm almost scandalized. But it is very reverent and well done!
2) A crowded field, but my favorite saint is Georgia. I am haunted by how strongly I sympathize with the way she played the hand she was dealt.
3) I'm convinced the author personally wrote some parts of this book while thinking about me, specifically my griping about Colonel Brandon being too old for Marianne. I do love those parts, regardless of whether my theory is true. There are other things that feel like they were tucked into the Grove just for me, but some of these are things I haven't thought or spoken much about at all in maybe 20 years. So I will chalk that up to the universal scope of human experience that is woven into the pages of this book.
February 14, 2025
A true gem of a book. It has kinship with Spoon River Anthology and Jan Karon. I loved my time in Whistle Grove meeting the saints. The story is told across time but in the same place, remarkably cohesive for an omniscient narration style about a large community.
The Saints of Whistle Grove also fulfills my love of illustrated books for adults. We are treated to a delightful map, full-page illustrations for each section, and five unique family trees. There is also a German lexicon and a list of discussion questions. The beautiful design of the book matches how special this novel is. I'm eager to read more by Schuermann.
The Saints of Whistle Grove also fulfills my love of illustrated books for adults. We are treated to a delightful map, full-page illustrations for each section, and five unique family trees. There is also a German lexicon and a list of discussion questions. The beautiful design of the book matches how special this novel is. I'm eager to read more by Schuermann.
July 2, 2024
I get this paralysis after finishing a book I love and am faced with putting together a review worthy of it, that will do it the justice it deserves. For two and a half weeks, I have pondered how I was going to write one for this book. I finally made myself start. And then just as I was finding my groove with it, my browser crashed, taking with it my words. I am not sure exactly what to make of that. Strap in, I have some things to share.
This was not my first foray into the fictional works of Katie Schuermann. As such, I was prepared for this book to not take itself too seriously, and yet to treat with great care that which is a very serious message indeed. Katie has been granted the gift of discernment to know precisely when it is necessary to speak with a clear and uncompromising voice that which is critical and when to deploy the perfect moment of levity.
Katie's writing is something to be savored. You don't just turn pages in her books, but you become immersed in them. About fifteen pages in, I texted the friend with whom I was buddy-reading: I forgot how Katie's writing just wraps me up like a warm blanket and flows through me like gentle rain. Just the way she uses words and the way she makes sentences into works of art and constructs characters who I feel like I already know when that's not even possible. This is every experience I have had with a Katie Schuermann book. These people become friends and the place they live feels like home.
What Iliked loved about The Saints of Whistle Grove:
The characters are real - Oh, I don't mean they ever lived and breathed upon this actual earth, but could they have? Most assuredly. They are funny and flawed, equal turns at compassionate and selfish, their behavior at times humbled me and then disappointed me -- in Lutheran vernacular: her characters are "saints and sinners" with the best of us. Did I have favorites? You better believe it. Will I tell you who they are? Not a chance. You have to discover that part for yourself.
Whistle Grove is like everywhere and yet nowhere - There is a charm to this place that is as much a character as the people who inhabit it. But there is also struggle here, sadness, discouragement, hurt, fear, resentment -- just the same as anywhere this side of eternity. Even if you've never lived in a small town or experienced a church that is fading away, Katie makes Whistle Grove a place you can picture, a place it feels like you've known all your life...even though it's a place that never was.
This isn't your cheesy, run-of-the-mill Christian fiction - The scenes Katie paints, the circumstances she plays out, the message that she shares -- these are not trite and they aren't afraid to delve deeply into some difficult subject matter. However, another of Katie's gifts remains to handle these situations with grace, with a measure of believability, with compassion, and yes, with a touch of well-placed humor. For all the emphasis on the many ways we can die -- literally, spiritually, and metaphorically -- this is not a depressing book, but one brimming with legitimate hope and joy. You won't get "sermonized" within these pages, but niether does she shy away from the fundamental truths of lives lived with and without God's gift of faith.
A wizardry of format - Can one rightfully make that comparison when the subject matter is decidedly Christian? I don't know what other word to describe this masterpiece. It was assembled in a way that seemed etirely random, but it never was. I kept coming up with these comparisons for it (you may or may not consider them spoiler-adjacent, so it's entirely your call if you want to read through or skip to my next bullet point).
I can safely say that I have never, in all my reading, encountered a story told quite like this before. It is an astonishing work of art. I don't know how she kept it all straight and, seeing it for what it was by the conclusion, I cannot wait for my first revisit.
Exquisite pacing - This book would not allow its story to be hurried. Once you're in it, you won't want it any other way. Katie reveals each detail at the proper time, leaving you no option but to savor what she's given you so far and trust that she will deliver... and boy howdy, does she ever. The conclusion is beyond satisfying. She wraps this story up gently and thoroughly, allowing not even the smallest detail to be left behind, ending as we began, and yet entirely changed.
What I didn't care for:
I have no use for this subsection with this book.
Is this book for Lutherans? Without a doubt, and there might be some "Lutheran inside jokes" sprinkled throughout. But it's not just for Lutherans. It's for people who struggle with death and loss, people who are seeking some sort of meaning in this life, people who grapple with faith challenged by doubt. This book is for anyone, because we will all have times in our lives that are hard and we wonder if we're in it alone. Katie's work in The Saints of Whistle Grove wraps its arms around you and tells you that you are not alone at all. This is a book I will return to both in its entirety and also just to dip into a random chapter now and again, ever mining new treasures that have been hidden there for discovery at just the right time.
This was not my first foray into the fictional works of Katie Schuermann. As such, I was prepared for this book to not take itself too seriously, and yet to treat with great care that which is a very serious message indeed. Katie has been granted the gift of discernment to know precisely when it is necessary to speak with a clear and uncompromising voice that which is critical and when to deploy the perfect moment of levity.
Katie's writing is something to be savored. You don't just turn pages in her books, but you become immersed in them. About fifteen pages in, I texted the friend with whom I was buddy-reading: I forgot how Katie's writing just wraps me up like a warm blanket and flows through me like gentle rain. Just the way she uses words and the way she makes sentences into works of art and constructs characters who I feel like I already know when that's not even possible. This is every experience I have had with a Katie Schuermann book. These people become friends and the place they live feels like home.
What I
The characters are real - Oh, I don't mean they ever lived and breathed upon this actual earth, but could they have? Most assuredly. They are funny and flawed, equal turns at compassionate and selfish, their behavior at times humbled me and then disappointed me -- in Lutheran vernacular: her characters are "saints and sinners" with the best of us. Did I have favorites? You better believe it. Will I tell you who they are? Not a chance. You have to discover that part for yourself.
Whistle Grove is like everywhere and yet nowhere - There is a charm to this place that is as much a character as the people who inhabit it. But there is also struggle here, sadness, discouragement, hurt, fear, resentment -- just the same as anywhere this side of eternity. Even if you've never lived in a small town or experienced a church that is fading away, Katie makes Whistle Grove a place you can picture, a place it feels like you've known all your life...even though it's a place that never was.
This isn't your cheesy, run-of-the-mill Christian fiction - The scenes Katie paints, the circumstances she plays out, the message that she shares -- these are not trite and they aren't afraid to delve deeply into some difficult subject matter. However, another of Katie's gifts remains to handle these situations with grace, with a measure of believability, with compassion, and yes, with a touch of well-placed humor. For all the emphasis on the many ways we can die -- literally, spiritually, and metaphorically -- this is not a depressing book, but one brimming with legitimate hope and joy. You won't get "sermonized" within these pages, but niether does she shy away from the fundamental truths of lives lived with and without God's gift of faith.
A wizardry of format - Can one rightfully make that comparison when the subject matter is decidedly Christian? I don't know what other word to describe this masterpiece. It was assembled in a way that seemed etirely random, but it never was. I kept coming up with these comparisons for it (you may or may not consider them spoiler-adjacent, so it's entirely your call if you want to read through or skip to my next bullet point).
1. It was like walking through an old churchyard, reading the headstones. We aren't engaging with chronological stories here. We are... quietly and respectfully roaming the headstones in this church graveyard and meeting the people who rest there until the Last Day. These saints who, at one time or another, filled the pews in that now shuttered church. They worshipped together. They lived life together. They suffered together. And as you approach each headstone, there are a wealth of stories waiting for you there.
2. One story connects to the next. Not on a timeline but by human connection, by relationship, by one little detail. These stories are irreversibly woven into one another. It's like a stand of Aspen trees. Aboveground, they look like a whole bunch of individual trees, but beneath the surface of the earth, they share one massive root system. Trees of varying ages are all interconnected to a single life source. On the surface of the earth, we see these individual gravestones poking up, different people, different times they lived and died. They look separate. But dig deeper and they are interconnected, and they also share a Life Source. "I am the Vine, you are the branches..."
3. The threads from across generations began to gather together. If you've ever looked at the back side of a tapestry, the threads are numerous and appear chaotic and random...until you turn it over and see the image they have joined together to form.
I can safely say that I have never, in all my reading, encountered a story told quite like this before. It is an astonishing work of art. I don't know how she kept it all straight and, seeing it for what it was by the conclusion, I cannot wait for my first revisit.
Exquisite pacing - This book would not allow its story to be hurried. Once you're in it, you won't want it any other way. Katie reveals each detail at the proper time, leaving you no option but to savor what she's given you so far and trust that she will deliver... and boy howdy, does she ever. The conclusion is beyond satisfying. She wraps this story up gently and thoroughly, allowing not even the smallest detail to be left behind, ending as we began, and yet entirely changed.
What I didn't care for:
I have no use for this subsection with this book.
Is this book for Lutherans? Without a doubt, and there might be some "Lutheran inside jokes" sprinkled throughout. But it's not just for Lutherans. It's for people who struggle with death and loss, people who are seeking some sort of meaning in this life, people who grapple with faith challenged by doubt. This book is for anyone, because we will all have times in our lives that are hard and we wonder if we're in it alone. Katie's work in The Saints of Whistle Grove wraps its arms around you and tells you that you are not alone at all. This is a book I will return to both in its entirety and also just to dip into a random chapter now and again, ever mining new treasures that have been hidden there for discovery at just the right time.
December 8, 2023
Just finished this wonderful new novel from Katie Schuermann: The Saints of Whistle Grove! It is one of those books which you gobble up reading and don’t want to put down. In fact, I made myself stop reading one afternoon, because it was going so fast and I didn’t want it to end. Though Mrs. Schuermann and Jan Karon (The Mitford Series) are both talented and uniquely different writers, they both have the gift of crafting a story that you want to last forever and never to end. It leaves you breathless for the next work that this author will craft and produce. The stories here were tenderly and lovingly told with a sense that the author personally knew each of the characters (obviously impossible, given the time covered, but a unique and special gift). The trials and tribulations in the lives of the characters populating the book were presented as from someone who truly understands and has experienced grace in her life. Though I am filled with the feast presented here, with a thankful heart I say, “More . . . please!”
November 23, 2024
As one of my dear friends said to me, "I thoroughly enjoyed The Saints of Whistle Grove. I love the circle of life and death and Eternal Life."
I wholeheartedly agree with this. "The Saints of Whistle Grove" is a beautiful story. It tells different stories about all ages, from 10-year-old Viola Freese to 80-year-old Miriam Werth. Throughout these stories is a beautiful confession of faith, and the founding and closing of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, their school, and their cemetery.
This book is also historically correct, and is told through various times, from the late 1800's to 2019.
Aside from the overall beautiful story, I loved all of the names used, "Viola", "Frieda", "Hans", "Johann"... I could go on and on.
This book used many German phrases and had a helpful guide in the back with the German words and their translations. Another useful guide is the beautifully made family trees also found in the back.
Overall, this book was fantastic, thank you Mrs. Schuermann!
January 17, 2024
What a lovely book. Of course, this pushed all my buttons as a genealogist, Lutheran, and lover of the rural Midwest. I will undoubtedly be reading this again.
January 22, 2024
This book is rich on so many levels and in so many dimensions. Full of wisdom and hope and even humor. I can’t think of anything better in a book.
January 8, 2024
Oh this book!! I am SO sad to not be reading of the Saints of Whistle Grove any longer, but I will be thinking of it for days to come. The characters I was introduced to made me think of people I’ve met and probably have yet to meet in this life. I look forward to the audiobook coming out because I will definitely be reading it again. “‘So, this book you’re writing. What’s it about?” A bunch of dead people. “That sounds. . . depressing’...’I think it’ll be good.’” And good this page-turner was, I savored it because I didn’t want it to end.
January 1, 2024
I know anything by Katie Schuermann will be wonderful to read, and this proved to be true once again. The chapters are named for saints. Sometimes they are the main character in the chapter, sometimes they are only mentioned in passing. And each chapter jumps in time relative to the one before, so by the time the book is finished, you've gotten an overview of the life of this church, and you realize that the main character of the story is the church itself. What a wonderful story to get to know!
December 6, 2023
Whistle Grove is a place where we are, have been, or are going. Katie takes us into the lives of the residents of Whistle Grove over a period of 150 years. Their stories resonate as if we knew them from our own memories of our saints that have gone before us. Every chapter will have you laughing, crying, or spitting out your beverage, or leaving you smiling! Thank you Katie for giving us these families of Whistle Grove!
March 11, 2024
This book is a masterpiece, and I am both comforted and astounded by the incredible tapestry that Katie Schuermann has woven through the lives of these Saints. And yet, it is not her pen alone, but the finger of the Lord Almighty who has written a story so rich and poignant in His Church. The themes encompassed in this book— of love and loss, beginnings and endings, family born and found— invite readers to see pieces of themselves in each Saint. Each of us are fashioned and formed by these Saints who came before us, walk alongside us, and are entrusted to shepherd into the next generation, and this book gives readers the space to ponder our own resting place in the Church.
Deftly woven into the lives of these extraordinarily ordinary Saints is the history of our own beloved Synod, whose own growing pains are mirrored in the life of Whistle Grove. This microcosmic exploration shows the depth of research and care with which Schuermann pens the lives of the Saints, and through this we are led to a deeper understanding and appreciation of our own individual histories as well.
A final note, although as a certain Sainted resident of the Grove would remind us, certainly not the last, this is a book made all the more precious by Kelly Uffenbeck’s beautiful illustrations. I so appreciate her contribution and the beauty she adds to this book through her own hand. My deepest gratitude to the publisher for seeing the worth and value in such an endeavor, and enriching our lives through their service to the literary life of the Church. (Their layout of the tp verso is the best possible introduction to this work after the cover!) A treasure not to be missed, and deserving of a beloved spot on every Saint’s bookshelf.
Deftly woven into the lives of these extraordinarily ordinary Saints is the history of our own beloved Synod, whose own growing pains are mirrored in the life of Whistle Grove. This microcosmic exploration shows the depth of research and care with which Schuermann pens the lives of the Saints, and through this we are led to a deeper understanding and appreciation of our own individual histories as well.
A final note, although as a certain Sainted resident of the Grove would remind us, certainly not the last, this is a book made all the more precious by Kelly Uffenbeck’s beautiful illustrations. I so appreciate her contribution and the beauty she adds to this book through her own hand. My deepest gratitude to the publisher for seeing the worth and value in such an endeavor, and enriching our lives through their service to the literary life of the Church. (Their layout of the tp verso is the best possible introduction to this work after the cover!) A treasure not to be missed, and deserving of a beloved spot on every Saint’s bookshelf.
December 29, 2024
How funny that this book about a 150-year-old LCMS congregation in rural Illinois is also the story about a church in Southern California. Reading this was reading about my own people and our own history and it was a reminder that my hope is in Jesus who loves all of us bitter, mean, often petty people and makes us saints who keep trying to do better but are saved no matter what.
January 16, 2024
I use tabs in my favorite cookbooks to mark categories or as a reminder to come back to this spot to revisit and tweak a recipe. Cemetery gravestones are similar, jutting out of the ground to visibly mark and cause us to remember, in this case the earthly resting place of saints who have gone before us. Yet we are left to wonder about the stories behind these names and dates, often creating narratives in our heads or simply noticing particularly short or long life spans.
Here enters _The Saints of Whistle Grove_ by Katie Schuermann. Chapter by chapter, layer by layer, the stories of generations are revealed in due time. Gently enough but without mincing words, Katie walks us through the joys and trials of a collection of families, often revealing the depths of suffering in the Christian life. She shows us that there truly is nothing new under the sun, but she continually points the reader to our Lord's faithfulness and mercy in every circumstance. He calls "the young and old to rest" in His own time, relieving those who - whether or not they know it - are "longing for rest everlasting."
But fear not, it's not a depressing read. There are moments of humor and levity, just as there are in our own lives. While the chapters are not chronological, it's obvious that the author made good use of a calculator and pre-planning to accurately and realistically portray the rich history of these saints' lives. The leaps are not jarring but rather serve the purpose of guiding us deliberately and thoughtfully through a story that eventually comes full circle.
Here enters _The Saints of Whistle Grove_ by Katie Schuermann. Chapter by chapter, layer by layer, the stories of generations are revealed in due time. Gently enough but without mincing words, Katie walks us through the joys and trials of a collection of families, often revealing the depths of suffering in the Christian life. She shows us that there truly is nothing new under the sun, but she continually points the reader to our Lord's faithfulness and mercy in every circumstance. He calls "the young and old to rest" in His own time, relieving those who - whether or not they know it - are "longing for rest everlasting."
But fear not, it's not a depressing read. There are moments of humor and levity, just as there are in our own lives. While the chapters are not chronological, it's obvious that the author made good use of a calculator and pre-planning to accurately and realistically portray the rich history of these saints' lives. The leaps are not jarring but rather serve the purpose of guiding us deliberately and thoughtfully through a story that eventually comes full circle.
June 8, 2025
Such a creative way to write a book and tell the stories of all these people!!!
The family trees at the end of the book were extremely helpful. I was so into this book that I took notes as I read. The notes helped me keep track of how the characters were connected.
This book had interesting characters and rich plots that spanned several generations, and traveled backwards and forwards in time. I was sad to say goodbye to Whistle Grove after finishing the last page.
The family trees at the end of the book were extremely helpful. I was so into this book that I took notes as I read. The notes helped me keep track of how the characters were connected.
This book had interesting characters and rich plots that spanned several generations, and traveled backwards and forwards in time. I was sad to say goodbye to Whistle Grove after finishing the last page.
January 11, 2024
When I first sat down to read this book, I knew I'd be sitting down to enjoy a masterpiece. I thoroughly enjoyed the author's work of fictional characters before and didn't expect disappointment this go around. With high expectations, I am thrilled to announce that these expectations were, somehow, still exceeded! This book is a masterpiece, but The Saints of Whistle Grove is so much more than a mere enjoyable read. Katie Schuermann writes this as a person who thoroughly understands the language and life of the Church. Because of her ability to produce real to life characters, enjoyable dialogue, and moments every church body has endured, she is able to convey the mercies Christ gives freely to His bride, the Church. I have never read a work of fictional literature, up until now, that so beautifully, easily and eloquently conveys the Truth of Christ to its readers. I thank God for Katie and her God-given talents as a writer. I just adored this lovely book. . . . My only disappointment is that I will not meet the saints of this story in the new heaven and new earth. All other reasons aside, I really want to know Cherry Daniel's molasses punch recipe.
February 20, 2024
This book beautifully intertwines generations of Saints throughout the life span of a sweet church in Whistle Grove. Katie's writing always brings forth an array of emotions. Some chapters found me laughing, some crying and snuggling my baby a bit tighter, and all pointing us back to God's glory in every circumstance. I will certainly revisit this book again and again and cherish it on my bookshelf, though I'm also tempted to pass it along to all my friends!
February 6, 2024
Oh, where to begin?! Historical, humorous, heart-warming - the Saints of Whistle Grove have become like family to me. Precious words of life, love and forgiveness are on every page. This will be one of my top picks for the year, and I look forward to reading it again and again.
August 18, 2025
This book gave me a new appreciation for the dear saints in the small rural Lutheran churches I have been involved in!
January 31, 2024
To what shall I compare this book?
It is like rummaging through the attic of the family homestead. Peculiar artifacts from past generations (not catalogued but left helter-skelter) catch our eye and invite us to remember or laugh or wonder.
It is like paging through the stash of old church photo directories. We gape at the snapshots of change that hop over decades, seeing babies morph into youth, adults, and patriarchs of the congregation.
It is like listening to our elders reminisce. We are wise to hear their insights, but we are also wise to discern the notes of nostalgia and sentimentality in their lyrics of the good old days.
It is like engaging in dinner-table discussions about how the Church has ended up in its current situation. Each voice has some truth to contribute about the decline of membership, Christian education, and sanctified living, although no one explanation can encompass the entire story of the birth and death of Christian congregations.
It is like strolling through the church graveyard – as the overarching imagery of the book intends. Each headstone calls us to imagine the particular person who lived and died, who was known by others, who was part of the body of Christ in that place, whose joys and sorrows made up a life.
It is like living in the Church on earth. All Christendom is inextricably intertwined, though each of us glimpses only certain hours of others’ lives. Here we see in part and know in part, but in eternity we shall know fully and be fully known.
In every comparison, the eclectic parts speak of an unfathomable whole, and that is truly what The Saints of Whistle Grove presents. Its episodic, achronological telling requires the reader to pay close attention while simultaneously relinquishing himself to enjoy each scene. For, while the style invokes a sense of mystery, nudging the reader to figure out how all the people and events fit together, this is no pat puzzle to be completed. Rather, it is an assortment of pieces that intersect to give an impression of the whole even though gaps remain unfilled. This is, ultimately, the story of a church, not of certain people. Yet, paradoxically, the church is nothing without those individual persons.
As a lover of history—national history, local history, church history, personal history—this book engaged both my heart and mind. Mrs. Schuermann clearly invested much historical research into her writing, along with her signature love of human beings as dear creations of God. She manages to give us scenes that encapsulate key points in the history of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod while never neglecting the poignancy of particular humanity in every era.
And this balance is what allows the book as a whole to reach toward the profound. While, on the one hand, we are drawn toward the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting that awaits the ever-growing Church Triumphant, on the other hand we are asked to wrestle with the reality of the starkly declining North American church as seen now by the Church Militant. Mrs. Schuermann expertly presents events and ideologies that have contributed to the decline of the Church in America without preaching or pretending to have a full diagnosis of the problems. This approach allows readers to ponder the past that has formed them, along with their own shortcomings in the present. But more importantly, it sets the stage for conversations among Christians that edify the body of Christ toward growth rather than atrophy.
It is like rummaging through the attic of the family homestead. Peculiar artifacts from past generations (not catalogued but left helter-skelter) catch our eye and invite us to remember or laugh or wonder.
It is like paging through the stash of old church photo directories. We gape at the snapshots of change that hop over decades, seeing babies morph into youth, adults, and patriarchs of the congregation.
It is like listening to our elders reminisce. We are wise to hear their insights, but we are also wise to discern the notes of nostalgia and sentimentality in their lyrics of the good old days.
It is like engaging in dinner-table discussions about how the Church has ended up in its current situation. Each voice has some truth to contribute about the decline of membership, Christian education, and sanctified living, although no one explanation can encompass the entire story of the birth and death of Christian congregations.
It is like strolling through the church graveyard – as the overarching imagery of the book intends. Each headstone calls us to imagine the particular person who lived and died, who was known by others, who was part of the body of Christ in that place, whose joys and sorrows made up a life.
It is like living in the Church on earth. All Christendom is inextricably intertwined, though each of us glimpses only certain hours of others’ lives. Here we see in part and know in part, but in eternity we shall know fully and be fully known.
In every comparison, the eclectic parts speak of an unfathomable whole, and that is truly what The Saints of Whistle Grove presents. Its episodic, achronological telling requires the reader to pay close attention while simultaneously relinquishing himself to enjoy each scene. For, while the style invokes a sense of mystery, nudging the reader to figure out how all the people and events fit together, this is no pat puzzle to be completed. Rather, it is an assortment of pieces that intersect to give an impression of the whole even though gaps remain unfilled. This is, ultimately, the story of a church, not of certain people. Yet, paradoxically, the church is nothing without those individual persons.
As a lover of history—national history, local history, church history, personal history—this book engaged both my heart and mind. Mrs. Schuermann clearly invested much historical research into her writing, along with her signature love of human beings as dear creations of God. She manages to give us scenes that encapsulate key points in the history of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod while never neglecting the poignancy of particular humanity in every era.
And this balance is what allows the book as a whole to reach toward the profound. While, on the one hand, we are drawn toward the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting that awaits the ever-growing Church Triumphant, on the other hand we are asked to wrestle with the reality of the starkly declining North American church as seen now by the Church Militant. Mrs. Schuermann expertly presents events and ideologies that have contributed to the decline of the Church in America without preaching or pretending to have a full diagnosis of the problems. This approach allows readers to ponder the past that has formed them, along with their own shortcomings in the present. But more importantly, it sets the stage for conversations among Christians that edify the body of Christ toward growth rather than atrophy.
January 7, 2024
This is a great read. I smiled, I laughed, I almost cried, I empathized and I was convicted. I love Katie's books and while this was definitely different than her previous fiction series, she still brought the characters to life. These characters, while fictitious, live in every church!
Highly recommend this book!
Highly recommend this book!
December 26, 2023
Beautiful. I love even more church cemeteries and small communities.
October 13, 2024
Overall Rating: 5/5 It’s really hard to give a good summary of The Saints of Whistle Grove, so I’ll just say this—I cried my way through it, and yet I came away with more hope and joy than a book has given me in a very long time.
Literary value: 4.5/5 Since I read mostly classics, I have a pretty high standard as far as writing quality goes. But The Saints of Whistle Grove was very well written even by my standards—most people would probably give it a 5/5.
Worldview: 5/5 It’s such a treat to find a book that’s not only solidly Christian, but also unabashedly Lutheran! I don’t think I disagreed with a single point of theology in this book.
Enjoyability: 5/5 The first time I read this book, I probably would have ranked enjoyability at 3.5 or 4/5. But after my second time through, it’s definitely a 5/5. The complexity of the interweaving stories left me occasionally confused the first time through, but during my second reading, I had a better grasp on the basic plot and was left free to enjoy the character development, humor, and thematic development. If you rarely reread books, then The Saints of Whistle Grove might not be the best fit—but it’s more than worth returning to, time and time again.
Caveats: I probably wouldn’t hand The Saints of Whistle Grove to someone under 13 because of some of the themes explored (especially repentance from unchastity), although every mature theme is tastefully addressed. Also, if you’re looking for a light, easy read, The Saints of Whistle Grove might not be the best fit—the complex, interwoven threads of the various subplots take a lot of attention to follow. (But you might enjoy the Anthems of Zion series by Katie Schuermann!) Otherwise, if you enjoy historical fiction, theology, genealogy, or romance, I would definitely recommend this book.
Literary value: 4.5/5 Since I read mostly classics, I have a pretty high standard as far as writing quality goes. But The Saints of Whistle Grove was very well written even by my standards—most people would probably give it a 5/5.
Worldview: 5/5 It’s such a treat to find a book that’s not only solidly Christian, but also unabashedly Lutheran! I don’t think I disagreed with a single point of theology in this book.
Enjoyability: 5/5 The first time I read this book, I probably would have ranked enjoyability at 3.5 or 4/5. But after my second time through, it’s definitely a 5/5. The complexity of the interweaving stories left me occasionally confused the first time through, but during my second reading, I had a better grasp on the basic plot and was left free to enjoy the character development, humor, and thematic development. If you rarely reread books, then The Saints of Whistle Grove might not be the best fit—but it’s more than worth returning to, time and time again.
Caveats: I probably wouldn’t hand The Saints of Whistle Grove to someone under 13 because of some of the themes explored (especially repentance from unchastity), although every mature theme is tastefully addressed. Also, if you’re looking for a light, easy read, The Saints of Whistle Grove might not be the best fit—the complex, interwoven threads of the various subplots take a lot of attention to follow. (But you might enjoy the Anthems of Zion series by Katie Schuermann!) Otherwise, if you enjoy historical fiction, theology, genealogy, or romance, I would definitely recommend this book.
January 29, 2024
I very rarely give a book a 5 star rating.. This one wouldn't have gotten one from me either if a 6 star (or higher) rating had been available. This is easily one of the best book I have read in a long time. Probably one of the best ever for me.
As a Lutheran pastors wife of over 30 years, the majority of which were serving Midwest country churches much like Bethlehem Lutheran in Whistle Grove, I can relate to every chapter in this book. Put that together with my 40+ years as a genealogist and family historian who loves to learn the stories behind the names of my people who have gone before me, and you will understand why this is such a special book for me.
Thank you, Katie Schuermann, for writing this book. And thank you, Katy Gifford, for literally placing this book into my hands. You are both Saints indeed!
As a Lutheran pastors wife of over 30 years, the majority of which were serving Midwest country churches much like Bethlehem Lutheran in Whistle Grove, I can relate to every chapter in this book. Put that together with my 40+ years as a genealogist and family historian who loves to learn the stories behind the names of my people who have gone before me, and you will understand why this is such a special book for me.
Thank you, Katie Schuermann, for writing this book. And thank you, Katy Gifford, for literally placing this book into my hands. You are both Saints indeed!
February 22, 2025
This book was wonderful from start to finish. I loved how the story is seen through so many different characters eyes. I also loved the way it was a happy-sad story.
April 9, 2024
4/7/2024 * 4.5 stars (rounded up to 5 ☺️)
I really enjoyed Katie Schuermann's Anthem's of Zion trilogy, so when I heard she had a new book coming out I put it on my wishlist, and my daughter gave it to me for Christmas. But because I commute several hours each week to help care for my elderly mother, reading print books is kind of hard at this time, so I also bought it on Audible and mostly listened while driving and doing chores, etc. I absolutely loved this story and the author did an excellent job narrating. I'm really not much of a cryer, but this story brought tears to my eyes and I was sorry when it was over. Although the ending did seem a bit abrupt, but maybe that was just because I wasn't ready for it to end.
I really enjoyed Katie Schuermann's Anthem's of Zion trilogy, so when I heard she had a new book coming out I put it on my wishlist, and my daughter gave it to me for Christmas. But because I commute several hours each week to help care for my elderly mother, reading print books is kind of hard at this time, so I also bought it on Audible and mostly listened while driving and doing chores, etc. I absolutely loved this story and the author did an excellent job narrating. I'm really not much of a cryer, but this story brought tears to my eyes and I was sorry when it was over. Although the ending did seem a bit abrupt, but maybe that was just because I wasn't ready for it to end.
September 5, 2024
This is one of the truest fictional accounts I have ever read. And the truth of it made me weep.
As the story follows the birth, life, and death of a small country church, it tells the stories of the saints who are buried in the church yard. I feel as though I know these people. I have been to these funerals. And like them, I await the resurrection of the dead.
This is a beautiful book.
As the story follows the birth, life, and death of a small country church, it tells the stories of the saints who are buried in the church yard. I feel as though I know these people. I have been to these funerals. And like them, I await the resurrection of the dead.
This is a beautiful book.
February 17, 2024
I think the best review I can give is this: I cannot wait to read it again!
Katie Schuermann has a most beautiful gift in her storytelling, and draws the reader into the story and the certain hope we share for the resurrection of the dead on the last day. I look forward to that day with even more fervor after reading this book!
Katie Schuermann has a most beautiful gift in her storytelling, and draws the reader into the story and the certain hope we share for the resurrection of the dead on the last day. I look forward to that day with even more fervor after reading this book!
January 22, 2024
Excellent!! It would be interesting to go back and read it chronologically. But I like the way it was laid out.
January 25, 2024
What a satisfying read. I cannot wait to lend it to a friend, just so I can have the joy of discussing it with someone who loves the LCMS & genealogy as much as I do.
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