I’ll start by thanking the University of Minnesota Press for putting this book in my hands, in return for an unbiased review. Laurentian Divide tells a story, actually many stories, about residents in the community of Hatchet Inlet, Minnesota. A dark and bitter winter is ending, one that was filled with a collective grief. Spring is slowly arriving, and even with a happy event scheduled in a few days, the residents are distracted by their concern for the one person who usually arrives with Spring. Rauri has yet to emerge from his iced in island.
In the process of reading Laurentian Divide, I gained a new favorite writer in Sarah Stonich. Her writing is intelligent, melodic, serious, funny, sad, happy…full of life. At times it filled me up, and other times, it drained me completely. All of her characters are likeable, most quite loveable. There was a sort of gentleness in the way their stories are told. For me, the book didn’t have a single predictable moment. Rare indeed! Laurentian Divide is a gem, and Stonich is an excellent creative writer. It doesn’t happen very often, but I’m giving this book 5 stars.
In the process of reading Laurentian Divide, I gained a new favorite writer in Sarah Stonich. Her writing is intelligent, melodic, serious, funny, sad, happy…full of life. At times it filled me up, and other times, it drained me completely. All of her characters are likeable, most quite loveable. There was a sort of gentleness in the way their stories are told. For me, the book didn’t have a single predictable moment. Rare indeed! Laurentian Divide is a gem, and Stonich is an excellent creative writer. It doesn’t happen very often, but I’m giving this book 5 stars.