THIS TENDER LAND by William Kent Krueger
It is rare to read a novel and know it is destined for greatness. To find one you think will become a classic and will be studied in English classes for years to come. Such a book is William Kent Krueger’s novel THIS TENDER LAND. It is a book that appears to have sprung full grown out of Krueger’s heart and his soul. You won’t just read this story, you will absorb it. It will literally become a part of your world and live deliciously in your memory.
THIS TENDER LAND tells the story of Odie, an orphan boy who is twelve years old in the summer of 32. He lives at the Lincoln School in Minnesota. It is a school for Native American children but somehow Odie and his brother Albert have ended up there. It is not an easy life they lead as many of the faculty at the school are cold and cruel, both emotionally and physically. It reaches a breaking point and Odie, Albert, their Native American friend Mose, as well as a young orphan girl named Emma flee for their safety.
They head for the Mississippi River and assume it will eventually take them to them to St Louis, where they have hope of finding refuge. It is a long journey and one with treacherous twists and turns. They will encounter good and evil as they make their way and all four lives will be forever changed.
Krueger takes this story of four vagabonds and makes it a saga you will never forget. Odie is the star character and he is a simple but complex one. All Odie ever wanted was to find a home and for the twelve years of his life it has basically evaded him. Still Odie is a survivor and as described by Krueger is a combination of Huck Finn and Oliver Twist. He is young at heart but old for his years.
It is hard to read a story about children facing hardships, but life is life and some cruelty comes to us all. The basic lesson Krueger teaches us in THIS TENDER LAND is that “hope” is always available no matter what the circumstances. Hope is an internal thing that comes to Odie through religion. It is not the same type of faith as others have but it is the kind of faith Odie needs.
THIS TENDER LAND is rich in characters. The people Odie and his crew meet are like people you might have never met before. Their uniqueness is a fine basis for good literature. They too find a way into your mind and heart. And they linger there. Krueger is almost magical in the way he can bring characters totally alive ton the pages of this book.
Magical is the most appropriate way to describe this story. Krueger puts a hex on us and draws us into the world of Odie and his compatriots. He never weakens his control and the reader is enmeshed, embroiled, intrigued and entranced. And most of all entertained.
Getting to read a book with all the wonderful qualities of THIS TENDER LAND is rare. You must read it – YOU MUST READ IT! This is William Kent Krueger at his best and believe me that is a high level of created literature. Give your kids a heads up. This is a book they will soon be reading in their literature classes.
THIS TENDER LAND is published by Atria Books. It contains 464 pages and sells for $27.00.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
