book ordinary grace by william kent krueger

How do small moments help us deal with larger-than-life trouble?Ĥ.

List and discuss the ordinary graces and miracles you've experienced. What places are ripe for a secret? Where can you go for peace and meditation?ģ. Make a similar journey through your own neighborhood. Much of our perspective in Ordinary Grace comes through Frank and Jake's by-foot travels throughout town, through the hidden passages and remote clearings. Has something similar ever happened in your town? Discuss the details of that incident, and how/if it changed things for you.Ģ. Tragedy and controversy will occasionally befall a small town like New Bremen. Do you agree with the sentiment of the older Warren Redstone? Is it true that the departed are never far from us?ġ. What do you make of Gus? Is he in some ways the backbone (though not a true relative) of the Drum family?ġ3. Should they have been allowed to bear witness to these things? Should children be shielded from the occasional darkness of adult life?ġ2. Frank and Jake often make a case to come along to the sheriff's office, crime scenes, and pivotal confrontations during the upheaval in New Bremen. Do you forgive Emil for his moment of indiscretion? Is he in some way to blame for everything that happened in New Bremen?ġ1. Do you think Frank had a responsibility to tell Emil about Lise? Was there merit to Jake's argument that her fenced-in estate was prison enough?ġ0. Do you agree with Frank's insight in the epilogue that, 'there is no such thing as a true event?' What makes a story real? How do we deal with varying perspectives and reflections of history?ĩ. Why does Ruth leave her family? Do you think she was truly mad at Nathan? At God? Discuss the ways in which she and the other characters deal with their grief over Ariel.Ĩ. Though the title of the novel refers to a particular 'ordinary grace,' what other small graces did you find in the book?ħ. Is there some merit to carrying the burden of a secret alone?Ħ.

Was there a certain catharsis once they were able to unload the truth? Did it do them any good? Consider especially Frank's father, whose deeds in the war remained a mystery. A number of characters carry secrets that eventually come to light. Who is ultimately responsible for the death of Karl Brandt?ĥ. Along those same lines, in what ways have the two boys been transformed by story's end?Ĥ. Which instance of eavesdropping provided them with the heaviest, most important information? Is there a particular overheard conversation that led most directly to the loss of their childhood innocence?ģ. Much of Frank and Jake's knowledge comes from overhearing and snooping. Discuss the final revelation of Ariel's whereabouts.

Book ordinary grace by william kent krueger