Good People . . . from an Author's Life

by Jon Hassler

Fans of Hassler and his work will no doubt delight in these sketches of the many people who accompanied him through life and warmed his heart. The varied cast of characters includes Hassler's parents, boyhood friends, relatives, colleagues, and even the fictional characters he has created in his many years as a writer. Like his other books, "Good People" will be enjoyed by people of all ages and from all walks of life.

Genres: Spirituality, Memoir, Nonfiction

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Jon Hassler was born in Minneapolis, but spent his formative years in the small Minnesota towns of Staples and Plainview, where he graduated from high school. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from St. John's University in 1955. While teaching English at three different Minnesota high schools, he received his Master of Arts degree in English from the University of North Dakota in 1960. He continued to teach at the high school level until 1965, when he began his collegiate teaching career: first at Bemidji State University, then Brainerd Community College (now called Central Lakes College), and finally at Saint John's, where he became the Writer-in-Residence in 1980.

During his high-school teaching years, Hassler married and fathered three children. His first marriage lasted 25 years. He had two more marriages; the last was to Gretchen Kresl Hassler.

In 1994, Hassler was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, a disease similar to Parkinson's. It caused vision and speech problems, as well as difficulty walking, but he was able to continue writing. He was reported to have finished a novel just days before his death. Hassler died in 2008, at the age of 74, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.[1]

The Jon Hassler Theater in Plainview, Minnesota, is named for him.

Reviews

[Carol E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was prepared to feel bored with this book.. anticipating Hassler's list of good people in his life: parents, friends, priests, colleagues. It was going to be something to read lazily to knock off some boring down time, with something sweet and not too thought-provoking.

I should have known better. Hassler is a better writer than that. Yes, he starts first by describing his parents and his happy childhood. From there he branches out into a wide variety of good people: a childhood friend with a terminal illness, a colleague who talks endlessly and loudly yet teaches one of the most creative classes ever created at the college, a couple - both writers - who are glum and almost angry at the world yet produce admirable and artistically-created literature. The list of good people could not be more diverse and surprising. He even analyzes some of the fictional characters he himself created.

Hassler describes them all in a humorous and interesting fashion, and delves into what gave birth to their goodness. The goodness may not even have been apparent to other observers.

This makes for a thought-provoking look at goodness itself and at how we accept, judge, or learn from those around us. There is probably some un-tapped goodness out there that we could all learn from if we open our hearts to it.

[Mike Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful little book about writing, the influences on Hassler's work and the people he has known, including those he knows best, his unforgettable fictional characters.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life and rest in unvisited tombs." -George Eliot

What a lovely book! Jon Hassler remembers those good people who have populated his life and made a difference.

He begins with this thought. "I had the great good fortune to be reared in a cocoon of goodness." He then goes on to give us sketches of his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, teachers, and even some of his fictional characters who have brought goodness into his life.

The great value of this book lies not only in the sketches Mr. Hassler offers but in the memories that come to the reader of those who have influenced in good and positive ways their own lives. I know that I am reviewing with gratitude the family and friends who have touched me and made me better by their goodness.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Minnesota author who writes about the "good" people in his life. Thankfully it was short. Each chapter read like a book report. I read it for a book club.

[M.G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5

[Joan M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inside look at the people who helped the author on his life journey. Interesting insights.

[Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Includes two local men. Heard them speak about this book.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love his fiction - like butter... So I was predisposed to enjoy this. And I did!

[Jennifer Willcutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved getting this insight into the life of one of my favorite authors. It turns out I have a lot in common with him, and so I enjoyed this quite a bit.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

a sweet set of essays-- reading this book reminded me of why I loved reading Hassler's novels