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51 pages 1 hour read

This Tender Land

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019

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Book Brief

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William Kent Krueger

This Tender Land

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

450

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Minnesota • 1930s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger is a coming-of-age adventure novel set during the Great Depression that follows four children—Odie O'Banion, his brother Albert, their friend Mose, and a young girl named Emmy—as they escape a harsh boarding school and journey down the Gilead River, encountering a series of challenges and transformative experiences that reshape their spiritual beliefs and understanding of life. The book includes themes of abuse, violence, and trauma.

Adventurous

Emotional

Contemplative

Melancholic

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

4.5

237,728 ratings

89%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

William Kent Krueger's This Tender Land has been praised for its evocative prose and strong character development, reminiscent of classic American literature. Reviewers commend its gripping narrative and emotional depth, though some feel the pacing is uneven and the plot occasionally predictable. Overall, it is celebrated for its heartfelt storytelling and rich historical context.

Who should read this

Who Should Read This Tender Land?

Readers who enjoy heartfelt historical fiction with rich character development will be captivated by William Kent Krueger's This Tender Land. Comparable to works like The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, this novel is perfect for fans of epic, poignant adventures.

4.5

237,728 ratings

89%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Character List

Odysseus “Odie” O’Banion

Odie is the protagonist and narrator, a small boy with a vivid imagination who expresses himself through music and storytelling. He embarks on a journey seeking a sense of home, navigating personal challenges while coming of age.

Albert, Odie’s cousin raised as his brother, is four years older, tall, lean, and intelligent. He complements Odie with his intellectual and mechanical skills and acts as a protector throughout their journey.

Mose is large in stature and characterized as Odie’s giant companion. After being sent to Lincoln School, he learns to sign from Odie and Albert, becoming a key member of their group with a cheerful disposition.

Emmy, described as a “cutie” and likened to Little Orphan Annie, functions as the group’s moral compass. She possesses a gift of clairvoyance, with instincts that often prove correct about people.

Book Details
Pages

450

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Minnesota • 1930s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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