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)

Fiction, but sounds autobiographical

If you could sum up Ordinary Grace in three words, what would they be?

Believable characters; inspirational

What did you like best about this story?

I was pleasantly surprised to discover the story centered on a Methodist minister's family in the 1960's, because I myself grew up in such a family about that time. I knew people just like those portrayed in the book, and the events involving them were so realistic they could have actually happened. Motivations of the characters involved were believable, and the resolution of the plot was consistent with those characters. I felt like I knew the Drum family personally and was, therefore, invested with them in their tragedy and the hope for grace to overcome it.

Which scene was your favorite?

I was greatly moved by the pastor's sermon. For one so profoundly grieving to even still believe in the grace of God and find anything positive to say was a very emotional, heart-wrenching moment.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I can't remember the last time a book actually brought me to tears, but this one did twice--the first time during the aforementioned sermon following the tragic death, and the second time in the last chapter in which the retired Reverend and his two sons remembered and honored those whose lives were affected by the events that took place those many years earlier. It was a bitter-sweet resolution, sad but triumphant, bearing evidence of both awe-full and ordinary grace.

Any additional comments?

This was the first book I've read by William Kent Krueger, but it will definitely NOT be the last. In fact, I've already purchased another.

one of the best books i have ever read

Would you consider the audio edition of Ordinary Grace to be better than the print version?

i do not know

What other book might you compare Ordinary Grace to and why?

this book is like watching the Waltons on TV

What about Rich Orlow’s performance did you like?

His ability to change voices

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES

wonderful narrator

This was like listening to an Academy award winning actor. I could see every scene so clearly in my mind thanks to great words brought to light in an extraordinary performance that was breathtakingly brilliant. Rich Orlow gave different voices to every character and each one was perfect in its characterisation. As an ex-actress I don't know how he did it! It was an extraordinary feet that sounded effortless and felt real. I would like to thank him for the wonderful experience I had hearing this great story.

Nothing ordinary about this book

I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. I thought it was more of a mystery, but it turned out to be a story of love, healing, and forgiveness.

Worthwhile Coming of Age Story in 1961

This story is beautifully written and well narrated. It is not a comfortable listen, but so worthwhile, so well done, that I have even listened a second time. There is one horrendous, disgusting perfectly awful scene which may gross people out but establishes how sicko one character is. There is a lot of death and burial. The answers come very late in the book so we're kept wondering. Frankie is 13; his brother Jake stutters and is 11; their beautiful sister, Ariel, is 18. Their dad studied to become a lawyer, went off to war, came back a different man with no heart for courtroom battles and became a Methodist minister. Their mom who drinks and smokes says she married a lawyer, but she is active in church music and cooks terrible meals for the family. Preacher Nathan's best war buddy, Gus, lives in the church basement. The boys often go to Gus for answers. I loved the feeling of riding a bike or walking downtown, across town, recognizing cars parked outside the barber shop or cafe, getting up a game with neighborhood kids before the sun goes down, the terrible heat and no AC -- just lower the shades and make lemonade. Frankie manages to listen in on some very adult material and as Jake is tagging along most of the time, they become men that terrible summer. They deal with the police a lot, and one cop is a real jerk with loose lips to boot. There's a swimming hole. There are railroad tracks, a trestle, and a river. There's a married lady who hangs tantalizing undies on her clothesline. Some of the girls are "skags" though the boys aren't sure what that means or if their sister is one. There's an Indian -- Native American -- and his guilt or innocence is up in the air for most of the book. This is a time of "Sunday clothes," long sermons in church, saying "Yes, sir," and fried baloney sandwiches with Kool-aid. There is a true miracle near the end and much wondering and discussion about all the people whose funerals they attended (planned, dug, did the music and eulogy). The epilogue jumps several decades so we can appreciate that the summer of 1961 was just a significant slice of ordinary life for the Drum family. We all carry flaws and scars, and we survive somehow. The book would be great for group discussion. Rev. Nathan Drum is the real hero. Good book!

Excellent

Excellent book. This was recommended by a friend or I would have passed on it.

AMAZING BOOK

THIS BOOK BLEW ME AWAY IN AN EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER. VERY GOOD MESSAGE AS WELL.

Excellent and unusual murder mystery with massages of faith

Wonderful characters fill this book. An exploration of how different families survive the grief after the loss of a child. It can get a bit preachy. Watching the two young brothers develop as the story unwinds is an excellent portrayal of boys becoming men. The characters are very usual and how they intersect is compelling.

Great listen!

Really enjoyed plot & the view from a teenagers eyes. Characters were easy to relate to as they seem like neighbors & friends in a small town. Really enjoyed this one!

Good story, well told. the reason I read.

I loved the way the kids sounded like kids. frequently stories told by kids sound like an adult trying to sound a kid.