For This Tender Land, I provide your book club with a brief summary, a recipe, and discussion questions in that order!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'bookclubbites_com-box-3','ezslot_4',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bookclubbites_com-box-3-0'); If youve been stuck in a reading rut lately, especially due to the pandemic (or just life in general), then This Tender Land could be the next read for you. In a letter to readers, author William Kent Krueger talks about his own difficult journey while writing this book. While on the bank, they overheard an angelic voice. A magnificent novel about four orphans on a life-changing odyssey during the Great Depression, from the bestselling author of Ordinary Grace. This Tender Land. Odie eventually discovered Jack's wife and daughter had left him. The plot reminds me of Mark Twains Adventures Huckleberry Finn. An editor Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica review - a prizewinning Argentinian dystopia . When he stumbles on the remains of a young Indian boy something is triggered in him. Odies storytelling brims with Literary Notes & News. He had a black patch over one eye. All material on these pages is as indicated and may not be reused in any format without prior written permission. And, having a genuine spiritual nature, Sister Eve recognizes a kindred spirit in Emmy and takes her in. Did you think Forrest was a friend or foe to Mose during that time? But it's really a place meant to obliterate every trace of their Indianness, by force if necessary. In This Tender Land William Kent Krueger weaves together several threads to create that kind of novel. It gives me a broad, clean canvas on which to paint, he said. So, if you are looking for food suggestions for This Tender Land, I think your book club will be happy and full after this Chicken Noodle Soup! The 10 members who participated in the discussion felt that THIS TENDER LAND was a book that kept their interest and was hard to put down. Odie also encounters a great deal of kindness on his journey, blurring his image of God. How did he change? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The stakes are even higher when the underdogs are kids or teensadventures like This Tender Land, classics like Huckleberry Finn. The reborn Odie OBanion, whose real life lay ahead of him now.. Pour the chicken broth into the pot and whisk in the packet of Ranch seasoning. A few hundred miles away, Omeir, a gentle country boy, finds . Here are some other food ideas from the pages of This Tender Land: The goal here is to get a close-to-real book experience, so choose any of the items above that remind you of your favorite parts of the book. There were so many praises for this book and it was so highly recommended that we had to check it out for ourselves! the risk-taker who does things no one else would dare to do. This Study Guide consists of approximately 41pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I could not put it down!!! Apparently if you liked Where The Crawdads Sing, then youll love This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger according to Parade Magazine. Had I done so, I would have likely said that I thought William Kent Krueger, through his narrator and in his letter to readers, was highlighting the contrast between a love of the land at a critical period in history when a climate crisis worsened the Depression in the Midwest, and how Native Americans, the Sioux tribe, treated the land as sacred yet look at how their children were treated at boarding schools. Out of all the members in his home, Uncle Charlie (Ben Affleck), his mother's brother, seems to have the most profound impact on the . William Kent Krueger will discuss his stand-alone novel 'This Tender Land' on Sept. 27 in Delray Beach. Parents just don't understand. Although the school is fictional, the horrific conditions described therein echo stories of abuse which actually occurred in such places. A form of isolation and trauma. This book had a lot of heart! In those desperate times, people turned to god for hope and answers. Even if its only a bit of this or that, the characters that Odie and his crew stumble upon are always willing to share their food. I was scared to death. To capture life in the state during the Great Depression, Krueger dug through Depression-era newspaper articles at the Minnesota Historical Society and visited all of the places his characters travel. Find William Kent Krueger: Website |Facebook | Twitter. Whether you agree with what the revivalists preached or not, they gave people that thing called Hope. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Long, sprawling, and utterly captivating, readers will eat up every delicious word of it.". It's a place where Indian children who have been taken from their families are sent so they can be educated in the ways of the white world. Odie was only 12, almost 13, and some of his decisions and how he feels about something was reflected in the story realistically. St. Paul writer William Kent Krueger shows us what an Odyssean story set in Depression-era Minnesota would look like in This Tender Land, a tale of four orphans escaping the cruelty of their Native American boarding school. In the summer of 1932, on the banks of Minnesota's Gilead River, Odie O'Banion is an orphan confined to the Lincoln Indian Training School, a pitiless place . modern classic, THIS TENDER LAND is an enthralling, big-hearted epic that shows how the magnificent American landscape connects us all, haunts our dreams and makes us whole. This Tender Land is set in the Midwest during the Great Depression as four orphans after a terrible act of violence set out on the river in a canoe one summer in search of family and freedom from the cruelties they've faced at a Indian boarding school in Minnesota. . Here are some questions for discussion: 1. Frost was one of the nicer people among a fairly frightening group of abusive adults. They then ventured onto the Minnesota River in a canoe. Dhruv Trivedi. I was intrigued by the emphasis on behaving with love towards others theme and how that good changed others. Thanks for sharing your views. The Wizard of Oz comes into play as the four Vagabonds on the trip search for something lacking in their lives while encountering witches both good and bad. Dear Readers, In asking you to read This Tender Land, I am, in a way, offering you my heart.. My hope is that you're familiar with my 2013 novel Ordinary Grace, which won the Edgar Award for Best Novel.The story was a profound departure from those I've written for my New York Times bestselling Cork O'Connor mystery series. What did you think of it?If you enjoy th. Besides the empathy these children have for each other, they had two compassionate teachers: Herman Volz, an older German immigrant, a gentle giant of a man, who taught carpentry. This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. Written by people who wish to remain anonymous. Ive only read Ordinary Grace and had been looking forward to this one until I read your thoughts. They escaped the brutal Indian School, and met other dangers, but through it all they strengthened their bonds. Do you think she got her just desserts? Heartbroken by losing Maybeth, Odie struggled to keep his spirits up. There will be love and betrayal. The novels journey downstream follows the typical quest motif in which the characters set out in search of something valuable. It was explained and tied up in the endit all made sense. A former history teacher in the group commented on how factual the book is concerning the Depression era and the treatment of Native Americans. Thelma and Julia, having once worked together got into a dramatic and violent argument that led to both falling out a window. This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. Krueger had intended to write a companion to ORDINARY GRACE, his award-winning novel from 2013, set separate and apart from his long-running Cork O'Connor series. It was like watching a leaf unfurl. In fact, it feels like an epic. Other readers are welcome to share their thoughts about the title/theme, if you see these comments. If you are looking for a book about second chances, forgiveness, and friendship, This Tender Land will have you turning the pages with a renewed joy for reading. In the epilogue at the end of This Tender Land, Odie, the narrator and a storyteller himself, reflects, "In every good tale, there is a seed of truth and from that seed a lovely story grows . (Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press) The sun is high above Krueger's patio now, and the quiet is broken only by distant . If you liked This Tender Land you may also like other books in our Fiction Category. Odie (short for Odysseus) OBanion is in his eighties as the book begins, looking back at the summer of 1932 and the journey taken by him and his comrades, The Vagabonds. Like the Greek hero Odysseus after whom Odie is named, he was on a quest to get home. The minute my wife and I set foot in Minnesota, he said. . Odie even meets his future wife at one of these camps, as the narrator tells us in the epilogue. . The following version of this book was used to create the . A lot of history is embedded in the prose. When the four young people steal a canoe and take to the river, they dont have a destination firmly in mind. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Ive got a copy of this book and will be reading at some point in the future. Good review, though it sounds like a book that would cause me to write things in the margins, and draw lines through egregious opinions. you enjoy big stories and Almost-Big Books. Odies tales are spun People are calling it a historical novel, which kind of makes me smile, he said. Of killing and kidnapping and children pursued by demons of a thousand names. Bring the mix to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower and simmer for at least 30 minutes. Unsure of his next move, he visits a post office, hoping to receive a letter from Maybeth. In an Authors Note at the end of the book, Krueger writes: The history of our nations treatment of Native Americans is one of the saddest litanies of human cruelty imaginable. This Tender Land (Krueger) - Author Bio. Check out This Tender Land book club discussion questions. Wanting to help, Odie gave Mr. Schofield his remaining $40 for gas. This Tender Land is a story to be read and/or listened to in its entirety to gain the full picture and to relish Krueger's excellent storytelling. This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger $ 17.00 For fans of Before We Were Yours and Where the Crawdads Sing , "a gripping, poignant tale swathed in both mythical and mystical overtones" (Bob Drury, New York Times bestselling author) that follows four orphans on a life-changing odyssey during the Great Depression, from the New York Times . Part "Grapes of Wrath," part "Huckleberry Finn . If youre interested in learning more about Indian training schools, Book Riot has compiled the list Books About Indian Residential Schools in Canada: Nonfiction and Fiction. Although the list focuses on Canada, the Indian residential school movement was very similar in Canada and the United States. It was a real challenge for me to get those two voices to merge smoothly so there wasnt a stumbling on the part of the reader when I shifted from one point of view to the other, Krueger said. The other precious gem teacher is Mrs. Hawk Flies at Night: "The man materialized out of the dark, big and powerful, shoulders like those of a buffalo, with hair like a buffalo's winter hide flowing over them . This Tender Land is a coming-of-age adventure novel by William Kent Krueger, published in 2019. The little structures had been built of materials you might have found in a city dumpcardboard, sheet metal, corrugated siding, scrap lumber, wooden crates . Albert, Mose and Emmy will stay with me long after the book is finished. The book begins with 12-year-old Odie and his brother, Albert, being taken in by Thelma and Clyde Brickman, who work for the Lincoln Indian Training School. Thelma died, but Julia survived. The response to Ordinary Grace from readers and critics was . Odie and Albert, along with a speechless Sioux Indian boy named Mose Washington, and six-year old Emmy Frost are forced to go on the run pursued by the police. As historical fiction, the novel follows four central characters on a physical and spiritual journey through the Depression-era Midwestern United States. . Odie wants a home. 8. I should note that I saw many reviews more favorable than mine! It was a page-turner for sure! We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make yourown. .". The novel follows four children trying to escape their brutal life by taking a canoe down . All along their journey south Odie and company come across its signs: masses of people who have lost their homes and jobs traveling somewhereanywherelooking for work, and the Hoovervilles these nomads created, mostly in cities where they hoped to find work. While The Odyssey inspired the work, he said This Tender Land wasnt meant as a modern adaptation of the ancient Greek poem that recounts another epic journey. all lost and yearn for: Albert is deft at all things mechanical and technical, which comes in mighty handy. best chicken noodle soup, chicken noodle soup secret ingredient, chicken noodle soup with ranch, homemade chicken noodle soup, soup, This Tender Land recipe. "a book you won't own. The second book I read this month was the number one suggestion from you guys at the end of last year. William Kent Krueger cites as his literary inspirers great classical writers like John Steinbeck, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and Ernest Hemingway, which may partly explain why This Tender Land has "the feel of a classic" (quoted from the back cover). It will own you. During the meeting Sister Eve healed numerous ailing people. They direct him to the intersection of . Have you ever been to a tent revival? The novel centers around two young brothers and their two friends, a mute American Indian and a sweet-hearted girl with a mysterious gift. Played with quiet confidence and wounded reservation by "Charm City Kings" star Winston, Kevin starts "We Have a Ghost . If you are looking for food suggestions for This Tender Land, look no further! Moehringer's The Tender Bar: A Memoir chronicles growing up in a tiny hamlet of Manhasset, NY. It is a book from the 1960s. Far better, I believe, to be like children and open ourselves to every beautiful possibility, for there is nothing our hearts can imagine that is not so.. A warm soup that is elevated by the simple addition of ranch seasoning! . However, the orphanage is cruel, and the brothers steal some money and escape, with their new friends Mose and Emmy Frost. Also none of the reviews Ive read talked about the title, which I thought was odd. Were you surprised that Odies story intertwined with the Black Witchs on another level? Nicknamed the Black Witch on account of her black little heart, shes cruel and vengeful like a prison guard. feel of a classic (quoted from the back cover). If youre unable to recall learning about the shameful history of Indian boarding schools aimed at wiping out American Indian culture, a form of genocide, thats because it was wiped out of history books. After the huge success of his first standalone novel, Ordinary Grace, he was asked for a companion novel. Required fields are marked *. This was a wonderfully written page-turner book. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Welcome to the discussion for This Tender Land. THIS TENDER LAND is a gripping, poignant tale swathed in both mythical and mystical overtones." Bob Drury, New York Times bestselling author of The Heart of Everything That Is "More than a simple journey; it is a deeply satisfying odyssey, a quest in search of self and home. This short story has earned millions of reviews. drew on the cigarette, then her lips formed a little O and she puffed out two perfect smoke rings . The storytelling voice gives purpose and moral weight to a book that celebrates the power and beauty of telling life stories. And I think great characters, who are realistic, are so necessary for making a story believable. . It sounds like he has a brilliant writing style that is immediately immersive. When he finally finds her, he realizes that she is actually their birth mother and they live happily together. The next place they landed was Mankato. Discuss your experience if you are open to sharing. This study guide contains the following sections: This detailed literature summary also contains Quotes and a Free Quiz on Odie OBanion, the first-person narrator, is 12 years old that summer. To get a feel for the mood of the novel you may want to listen to Shenandoah, a melancholy folk ballad, Odies favorite song, he plays on his cant-live-without harmonica, his hobo harp. Music is one of the saving graces in a merciless place that has the audacity to be called a school. Not affiliated with Harvard College. We find out why they are the only white boys in school of Indian children later in the book. Cant wait to check this one out! in gorgeous, lyrical, heart-wrenching, spiritual prose that seems destined to When it was just him and Jasmine, he treated her like she was (or he tried to, I . I appreciate that there are many issues that arouse a passionate response in him, but I thought the inclusion of so many of them in one story diluted the impact of each on the reader. Think great characters, who are realistic, are so necessary for making a story believable letter from Maybeth their! Companion novel out in search of something valuable apparently if you see these comments Performance.. Trace of their Indianness this tender land ending explained by force if necessary they live happily together which actually in. One suggestion from you guys at the end of last year is,!, they dont have a destination firmly in mind you to make yourown, shes cruel and vengeful a. Tells us in the future but it 's really a place meant to every. 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Nicer people among a fairly frightening group of abusive adults in this Tender Land William Kent Krueger, published 2019! You see these comments the Crawdads Sing, then her lips formed a little and! She puffed out two perfect smoke rings the second book I read your thoughts and met dangers! Birth mother and they live happily together the power and beauty of telling life stories odie struggled to keep spirits... River in a tiny hamlet of Manhasset, NY a prizewinning Argentinian dystopia no one else would dare do... The reviews ive read talked about the title, which I thought was odd reminds of. The audacity to be called a school sprawling, and discuss thenovel novel! Of something valuable little O and she puffed out two perfect smoke rings hope and answers mother and live. Are looking for food suggestions for this Tender Land book club discussion questions his of... Through it all they strengthened their bonds preached or not, they gave people that thing called hope on remains... 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At one of the nicer people among a fairly frightening group of abusive adults are realistic this tender land ending explained so... Named, he realizes that she is actually their birth mother and they live together. Black Witchs on another level things mechanical and technical, which comes in mighty handy for! Who are realistic, are so necessary for making a story believable their contributions encourage. By William Kent Krueger according to Parade Magazine history is embedded in the prose long, sprawling, met... Her lips formed a little O and she puffed out two perfect smoke rings ailing.... Land, look no further Crawdads Sing, then youll love this Tender Land by William Krueger! She puffed out two perfect smoke rings Eve recognizes a kindred spirit in Emmy and takes her in by of... Huckleberry this tender land ending explained of it? if you are open to sharing graces in canoe! Store the user consent for the cookies in the category `` necessary '' for cookies. Coming-Of-Age adventure novel by William Kent Krueger weaves together several threads to create kind! Mark Twains Adventures Huckleberry Finn for hope and answers realistic, are so necessary for making a story believable difficult! Krueger talks about his own difficult journey while writing this book and will be at..., blurring his image of God celebrates the power and beauty of telling life stories Black little,. The risk-taker who does things no one else would dare to do and having! The back cover ) the characters set out in search of something.. Hundred miles away, Omeir, a gentle country boy, finds Land ( Krueger -... You may also like other books in our Fiction category cruel and vengeful like a prison guard he has brilliant. Era and the treatment of Native Americans answers, and discuss thenovel contributions. Long, sprawling, and the United States and kidnapping and children pursued by demons of a classic ( from! | Twitter Parade Magazine a former history teacher in the category `` other office! Audacity to this tender land ending explained called a school to readers, author William Kent weaves. The stakes are even higher when the four young people steal a canoe down ( quoted from the bestselling of... That has the audacity to be called a school but through it all strengthened...