Jon Taylor’s Reviews > Ordinary Grace > Status Update

Ok. A few little issues. The first is that this is tending to the melodramatic - and the structure of the chapters - a change of setting, a slow burn with some philosophy and then a ‘dramatic’ climax - is becoming cliched. The other is the kids’ dialogue. It just doesn’t ring true to me that Jake would have the wisdom that he speaks at his age. But then, this is a memory…

I’m wondering how dark this is going to get… Frankie’s mother appears to be about to take things into her own hands - probably incorrectly. The mystery side of this is hanging together well - I’m still guessing.

Krueger’s understanding of the impact of loss on adults, told from by an adult recounting his childhood view of it, is deep. He recounts the sharp punch of shock and the growing anger and despair of grief. The moment where Frank the adult narrator protects Frankie the boy from the reality of what happens to a body left in water for days was a gut punch.

Powerful scene between Frankie and Redstone. Commentary on white America’s treatment of Native Americans. I hope that the truth is discovered in time for Redstone but I’m beginning to think that this is going to take a doubly tragic turn.

Struck me tonight how brilliantly plotted this is… events are carefully layered, plot on sub-plot, each one fascinating. Krueger’s skills as a writer of mysteries means that things are revealed at just the right pace and narrative questions pop up all the time. Such a good book.

England lost the semi-final of the World Cup tonight. And yet, still this book can transport me away from all of that. That truly is a miracle of the writer’s art…

This is a low key beautiful novel - all that’s great about American writing. Nature, both human and in the truest sense of the word, are at its heart and place matters and is beautifully described. The relationships feel real, as though this were a memory. I’m loving it.