La Crosse County Library discussion
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This Tender Land
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June Discussion: This Tender Land
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I confess that I have read ahead a bit on this one...This was a great read! I enjoyed how the characters really grew from the beginning of the book until the end as well as the author's exploration of how people choose family and find a place to belong in the world.
When the book ended, I found myself wanting more, to find out how these characters' lives all played out, to see the evolution of their friendships, forged in a time of adversity for all of them.
I'm crossing my fingers for a sequel!
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It was fun reading a book set in the Great Depression Era that took place in the Midwest with cities and landmarks I could recognize through the eyes of children and an unreliable narrator. The added fantastical elements including the story that our narrator told as bedtime story improved the story for me at least. My favorite character would have to be Moses aka Moses, and how he grows as a character especially when he tries to get in touch with his heritage even though he doesn’t have a reliable guide to do so.
I liked this book a lot, and how it did not sweep some of the injustices to Native Americans and the poor that our nation doesn’t like to remember. I personally don't see a sequel in the future with most of the stories being wrapped up satisfactorily enough, but you never know. I can’t wait for the next standalone book by William Kent Krueger.
Well said, Brandon! Yes, a stand-alone novel can be just as powerful as a sequel! Either way, I’ll be glad to read whatever Krueger publishes next.
I agree that the novel did a great job not shying away from historical injustices committed against Native Americans, particularly in the boarding schools that sought to disconnect many from their indigenous culture and families.
There was a recent news story from Canada that put these injustices into sharper perspective. The remains of 215 indigenous children were found near a former boarding school in British Colombia. I couldn’t help but think of the Lincoln School and Mose’s story.
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MNOpedia:
https://www.mnopedia.org/native-ameri...
MPR News:
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/01...
Wisconsin Historical Society:
https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Reco...
University of Wisconsin:
https://canoe.csumc.wisc.edu/LdFCanoe...
Wisconsin Public Radio:
https://www.wpr.org/native-american-g...
The Atlantic:
https://www.theatlantic.com/education...
Library of Congress:
https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materia...
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Just started the book (audio version as my hold just came due). I also thought about the recent new story out of Canada as this book talks about school for indigenous persons in Minnesota.
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We hope that you enjoy the book! Please let us know what you think.
I read this one a little over a year ago and loved it! Here is my review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
When asked by a long-time friend and former book club member from way back why I only gave This Tender Land 2 stars, this is what I said, "I found it boring, repetitive, and the plot lines ridiculous. I realize the author was going for a modern "Huck Finn" but I didn't enjoy how at every turn the author threw in every possible lesson about tolerance, prejudice, & diversity as a plot mechanism. And there's somehow this bigger lesson about God and then to top that off, he throws in a little orphan girl who gets visions. Oh, and she can alter the future. UGH. I don't care if the journey was a metaphor for something else or a platform for the re-telling of a classic tale. I I really don't know why I even finished it. I guess I can understand why some would like it, but I was surprised at how much I didn't like it; I guess my expectations were kind of high based on reviews & WOM talk I heard...🤷♀️A big Whamp-Whamp from me! ..." So, ya. I think that sums up how I felt about this book and I have the feeling I'll be in the minority in this and that's OK. My favorite part was that Winona General hospital saved Albert! I've read worse writing, but this was no literary masterpiece. I'll stick with his mystery series! :-)
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Well said!
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I do enjoy his mystery series as well. Even though I enjoyed the book, I definitely was getting bored as the plot meandered in the middle. I enjoyed his other standalone novel, Ordinary Grace, more than this book. I feel like the book might have been over hyped.
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Awesome review! Glad you enjoyed it.
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Not long after remains of indigenous people were found around the sites of former boarding schools in Canada, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, announced a nationwide search of former U.S. boarding schools for the remains of Native American children: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/23/us...
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland on the history of indigenous boarding schools: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinio...
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Definitely. I think it's clear that Krueger really did his research for this book. Helps to inform the story being told.
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Yes! Not everyone is going to enjoy the book, and that's okay! It makes for a great conversation on both the flaws and the merits of a title.
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It was fun reading a book set in the Great Depression Era that..."
Mose really was a great character. Out of all the characters in This Tender Land, I would most like to know how his story pans out after the events of the book. I found his identity struggle to be one of the more compelling narratives in the story. -Cora
La Crosse County Library
Books mentioned in this topic
This Tender Land (other topics)This Tender Land (other topics)
Here are some starting questions:
(Don't feel limited by these! Many other aspects of the book can be discussed as well!)
Did you enjoy this book? Why or why not?
What are some parallels between this book and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?
What is the significance of Odie's full name?
Who was your favorite character, and why? Who did you relate to the most?
What do you think the book's overall message is, and why?
Do you think This Tender Land should be made into a movie? If so, who would you want to play your favorite characters?