South of Luck

by Jim Guhl

It’s the summer of 1945, and sixteen-year-old ruffian Milo Egerson has been shipped from his Minneapolis home to his great-uncle Ham’s farm in rural northwestern Wisconsin. Though his mother puts on a smile and says it’ll do him good to be out in nature, they both know otherwise. Milo’s stepfather, the one who gave him that jagged scar, is set to be released from Stillwater Prison soon and has already promised to finish what he started.
 
Hoping there are enough miles between the Twin Cities and dusty Milltown, Milo sets about trying to make the most of life without running water and electricity while trying to better understand his own place in the world and what it all means. His tough-guy act softens as he blends into the community and befriends an endearing group of small-town folks. And that’s lucky for him, because to stay safe, he’s going to need all the help he can get.

Genres: Historical Fiction

241 pages, Paperback

Published August 24, 2021

Reviews

[Susan]

Interesting historical fiction. The setting is a farm in between Milltown and Luck, Wisconsin during WW II. Young Milo is sent from his Minneapolis home and school
to live with his Great Uncle on a farm, south of Luck. He struggles assimilating his bad boy manners with the kind local residents. Why is he there? (No spoilers.) If you are familiar with the area and history you will love how author Guhl integrates the history and businesses of that time into the story. And yes, there was a German POW camp in the area and yes, they worked at the Stokely plant. The legacy residents that are still living will tell you all about it.

[Janelle Bailey]

37: South of Luck by Jim Guhl, Wisconsin author and as directed by its selection for Larry Meiller’s WPR book club.

I am very pleased to have read this book. I am happy to know Milo and Ham and all of the others I met while reading this tale, it’s setting of northern Wisconsin in 1945.

There is so much of value and thoughtfulness shared within, and that includes a delightful blend of important themes, compelling characterization, and good downhome storytelling.

Thanks for writing it, Jim Guhl. My copy is available for lending.

[Valerie Biel]

This is a wonderful coming-of-age story set in the last days of World War II in rural Wisconsin. A fast-paced plot with some heart pounding twists and turns mix skillfully with poignant and heartbreaking moments. You'll think about this one long after you've read the last page.

[Lynne]

Yay! A good-feeling, old-fashioned STORY!!!

[Beth Wydeven]

Read for a Bookclub. Not the type of book I gravitate towards. Kinda coming of age heartwarming “hallmark” story. Not much depth. Interesting cause I live near the areas in the book. I learned something about German POWs .

[Larmie Fahrendorff]

Any Town U.S.A. story

I was born and raised in Polk County Wisconsin, spending most of my first 21 years ( minus 2 years across the state in college ) on a dairy farm 1 me east , of Milltown. So I know the lifestyle there, and the book depicts life there in an accurate manner. To anyone living there, or to those who lived there and have maintained a connection with the area, they will like this book. To others who have never been to the area, or others like myself who have not maintained connections this book comes off as a rather oft-spun feel good tale of new person in town, starts off on wrong foot, experiences hardship, performs good deeds, is absolved of past discretion, and lives happily ever after. The same story line could be ( has been )written in Medford Oregon, or Albuquerque New Mexico, or Macon Georgia, or Hoboken New Jersey. You just fine tune the prose to fit the particular area you choose to place your character(s) in.
Nothing special... just a touchy feely happily ever after story. If kindle had offered it for $3.50 rather than $12.50 I might have been more satisfied.

[Theresa Fish]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I am from a bit farther north but am familiar with the areas of Luck & Milltown so I could easily picture the settings described as I was reading. I actually giggled a little when Milo was in Luck and went into The Northern to buy beer, clearly the author has been into The Northern at some point because the inside and environment was described perfectly. I didn't realize (or forgot) that there was a POW camp in Milltown. So not only did I enjoy the story about Milo & his Great Uncle Ham but I learned a bit more of the history of the area.

[Elizabeth]

This is the type of story I love: an ingenious kid with spunk and guts, older people who recognize it, and things to build, make happen, danger and a happy ending.

It is a fast read, as there is so much happening, but there isn't much depth or nuance, just a straightforward story.

And, it's about Wisconsin!

[Kelley]

I really enjoyed this book! I wanted to read a book that wasn’t about WWII or a mystery/thriller. This book was a really nice change of pace for me. It has a wholesome Midwest setting (Minneapolis and Northern Wisconsin) and I could totally relate because I live in Wisconsin. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. I would definitely recommend others to read this book!

[Pam]

Leisurely paced coming of age story set at the end of WWII on a farm just south of Luck, Wisconsin. Generally likeable characters, but some plot points strained credulity. The ending in particular was rushed and required much suspension of disbelief.

[Liz]

Quick Read! I love reading books set in my state. The author is from Hudson, WI, which is even better.
The book takes place in 1945. Milo, 16, is a troubled kid who lives in Minneapolis. His mom moves him to Luck, Wisconsin, with his great-uncle Ham. The book is about his adventures there.

[Sadie]

Being from Wisconsin drew me to this book and I am glad I read it. Great characters and who knew we had German POWs in Wisconsin?!? ThanksJim Guhl for a “goodread”!

[Barbara Van loenen]

A sweet story of growing up in NW Wisconsin. A good choice for the holidays.

[Dawn Liebherr]

The story line was interesting, but had some plot holes in it. I might have enjoyed it more if I was familiar with the city of Luck or the surrounding areas.

[Kitty]

Absolutely my favorite book of the year! I highly recommend it!

[Barbara]

Loved it all: Wisconsin setting, WWII time period, coming of age, characters, relationships, plot, ending……It was a moving, well written story. I highly recommend this book to all.

[Lynn]

Really liked this one.

[Debbie Hagen]

Good plot. I spent summers near Milltown at our cabin so a lot of places in the book brought back memories.

[Marissa Cavalier]

Really enjoyed this! Super quick read! It was enjoyable, especially living in the area, I was able to map the routes and get a really clear picture of what the author was writing.

[Jan Harriman]

A fast paced story you will want to keep reading until the end… a good read… hope you enjoy it as much as I did…….

[Tracee]

I could read this book over and over again! While I was reading I felt like I was Milo and feeling all that he was. The author was good at describing everything detail.