In William Kent Krueger's Ordinary Grace, 13-year-old Frank Drum recounts the harrowing summer of 1961 in New Bremen, Minnesota, when a series of deaths, including that of his sister Ariel, disrupt his family's life. The narrative explores themes of faith, loss, and growth as Frank, alongside his younger brother Jake, seeks to make sense of the tragedies that engulf their small town. This story includes the loss of a sibling and the impact of war injuries.

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger has received praise for its eloquent prose, well-drawn characters, and evocative depiction of small-town life in the 1960s. The novel's themes of faith, loss, and family resonate deeply with readers. However, some find the pacing uneven and the story's resolution too predictable. Overall, it's a moving and contemplative read.

Readers who appreciate Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger are likely drawn to reflective coming-of-age stories set in small-town America. If you enjoyed the nuanced family dynamics in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee or the poignant explorations of faith in Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, you'll find similar themes here.

- Ordinary Grace won the 2014 Edgar Award for Best Novel, a prestigious honor recognizing excellence in mystery writing.
- William Kent Krueger initially planned Ordinary Grace as a trilogy but decided to make it a standalone novel after realizing the full story was contained in one book.
- The novel is set in the fictional town of New Bremen, Minnesota, and draws heavily on Krueger's own childhood experiences in small-town America during the 1960s.

William Kent Krueger

Adult

Novel

Fiction

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Study Guide

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Overview

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Ordinary Grace Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 4

Ordinary Grace Prologue-Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-8

Ordinary Grace Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 9-14

Ordinary Grace Chapters 9-14 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 15-18

Ordinary Grace Chapters 15-18 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 19-22

Ordinary Grace Chapters 19-22 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 23-27

Ordinary Grace Chapters 23-27 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 28-33

Ordinary Grace Chapters 28-33 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 34-37

Ordinary Grace Chapters 34-37 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 38-Epilogue

Ordinary Grace Chapters 38-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Ordinary Grace Character Analysis

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Themes

Ordinary Grace Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Ordinary Grace Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Ordinary Grace Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Ordinary Grace Essay Topics

Book Club Questions

Ordinary Grace Book Club Questions

Ordinary Grace

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