ORDINARY GRACE-W Krueger's Extremely Ordinary Coming of Age Novel In Midwest Mid 60's

If you're a fan of Stephen King's novels or short stories (especially the non-horror ones) you'll recognize William Kent Krueger's style of story telling told by an older but wiser narrator looking back on a pivotal, early-teen year in which life-altering events augur him towards adulthood. Frank (an overly obvious choice of an honest sounding name) is the middle child of Methodist Minister Nathan Drum and his wife Ruth (a biblical name worthy of rubies). Frank's beautiful, older, Juilliard bound sister Ariel and younger, "Howdy-Doody looking," brother with a stuttering issue, Jake, live modestly in their church relegated home in a small, riverbed town an hour or so outside the Twin cities. The story is entrenched in the good v. evil attributes of small rural town; neighborliness with hosted block parties replete with pop and jello molds, bigotry towards the few Native Americans living on the fringes. There's the rapid gossip hot-line and railroad tracks that divide the town; literally. It's too easy to compare Krueger's story and writing to King's, but I will. The story begins with the gruesome discovery of a young boy's body along the train tracks. Secondly, the story focuses on the close knit relationship between the brothers within a virtuous family, i.e. sagacious, altruistic father and admirable wife and daughter; both are leading assets to the church's choir. King and Krueger set a similar scene in a bucolic haven. The neighborhood kids have pickup games, the local drug store has an old fashioned soda fountain and listening to a Twins' game or getting a haircut at the local barbershop is de rigueur. King's novella "The Body" which was made into a blockbuster pick "Stand by Me" stood as a paving stone for setting the tone of Krueger's "Ordinary Grace" (OG). The simple life for the salt of the earth citizens is soon badly shaken in the summer of '61; a time when innocence died (along with several others) in Krueger's coming-of-age/crime novel. As Frank tells us right upfront in the story, young Bobby was only the first of several deaths to occur during the coming lazy days of summer vacation days. Along with mounted bodies, Frank's dawning empathy and his appreciation for his father rose. The story is driven by Ariel's disappearance and Frank's inner turmoil. Ruth's refusal to accept God's grace after tragedy strikes their family and the racist, quick to condemn attitudes of many in town, and perhaps his own, gave Frank plenty to grapple with. Overall, this is an easy read with obvious clues to culpabilities. If you're already a King fan you'll likely enjoy this easy read, or as in my case, take umbrage at obvious appropriations made. Either way, ORDINARY GRACE is an end of innocence/coming of age story that is nothing out of the ordinary. And, not a worthy Library Book Club   Selection.