Ordinary Grace

By: William Kent Krueger

Narrated by: Rich Orlow

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Award-winning author William Kent Krueger has gained an immense fan base for his Cork O’Connor series. In Ordinary Grace, Krueger looks back to 1961 to tell the story of Frank Drum, a boy on the cusp of manhood. A typical 13-year-old with a strong, loving family, Frank is devastated when a tragedy forces him to face the unthinkable - and to take on a maturity beyond his years.

©2013 William Kent Krueger (P)2013 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

“Krueger aims higher and hits harder with a stand-alone novel that shares much with his other work.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

Could have been shorter

This is a touching story and made me feel like I was part of the community. The narrator was good but could have given more definition between characters as I found myself asking "Now who is this again?" However, I found his interpretation of the pastor and Warren very good. The story itself I felt could have been half as long. Many things were drawn out too far - altercations between people, details of daily life, investigations of a murder, how long it takes for a cigarette to burn down to fingertips - all could have been edited without affecting the story itself and I ended up skipping about 5 chapters because I just wanted to get on with it, Some readers were more affected emotionally and someone disliked the ending, but overall this was an enjoyable story and a nice escape from a world that's now stranger than fiction.

A must read

I absolutely loved this book. The characters were well developed and I love the time period of the story. Great storyline with a deeper meaning. The narrator had such a comfortable cadence and gave me the feel of the narrator from the movie The Sandlot. You won’t regret this purchase.

Enjoyable “stand by me” type story

This book reminded me of Stand By Me a little bit. Fairly religious but did not bother me. I liked it and I’m glad I read it. Would not call it amazing though. Narrator was great.

Beautiful

I listened to this 8 years ago, and just listened to this second time. Wonderful sad yet hopeful coming of age story.

Loved it!

I did figure out who the murderer was about 3/4 through the book. it was a fast read.

What a perfectly good read.

This is a book that needs to be heard, not read. Believable characters - ordinary lives pushed through ordinary circumstances like purple grapes through a wine press: the end result being so much more than the starting ingredients.

Outstanding

Author’s genuine sharing is inspiring and filling. My faith is deepened; hope renewed. Thank you! And love!
Rev. Dr. Lucia Kremzar
[e-mail]

Great read (listen)

The characters are richly drawn, woven in a storyline that captures the coming of age flavor as a young boy discovers heartache and faith. Loved this book.

4 1/2 stars

Small town midwest but could have been small town anywhere. Two brothers approaching manhood. Older sister that is adored, worshiped in that younger brother way. A ministers family with it's own special set of priblems. A community of broken people. Events that could have rendered people irreparably damaged, thru the awful grace of God, emerge stronger and wiser perhaps even better. A must listen. Reminds me of a family story , an Ebenezer, being told to a younger generation.

I liked very much

I enjoyed listening to this story very much. The author did a great job in making you feel that this was the story of his own life. It seemed real.