--- product_id: 1357293 title: "Ordinary Grace" price: "£14.88" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/1357293-ordinary-grace store_origin: GB region: United Kingdom --- # Ordinary Grace **Price:** £14.88 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Ordinary Grace - **How much does it cost?** £14.88 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/1357293-ordinary-grace) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE 2014 EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL WINNER OF THE 2014 DILYS AWARD A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF 2013 From New York Times bestselling author William Kent Krueger, a brilliant new novel about a young man, a small town, and murder in the summer of 1961. “That was it. That was all of it. A grace so ordinary there was no reason at all to remember it. Yet I have never across the forty years since it was spoken forgotten a single word.” New Bremen, Minnesota, 1961. The Twins were playing their debut season, ice-cold root beers were selling out at the soda counter of Halderson’s Drugstore, and Hot Stuff comic books were a mainstay on every barbershop magazine rack. It was a time of innocence and hope for a country with a new, young president. But for thirteen-year-old Frank Drum it was a grim summer in which death visited frequently and assumed many forms. Accident. Nature. Suicide. Murder. Frank begins the season preoccupied with the concerns of any teenage boy, but when tragedy unexpectedly strikes his family—which includes his Methodist minister father; his passionate, artistic mother; Juilliard-bound older sister; and wise-beyond-his-years kid brother—he finds himself thrust into an adult world full of secrets, lies, adultery, and betrayal, suddenly called upon to demonstrate a maturity and gumption beyond his years. Told from Frank’s perspective forty years after that fateful summer, Ordinary Grace is a brilliantly moving account of a boy standing at the door of his young manhood, trying to understand a world that seems to be falling apart around him. It is an unforgettable novel about discovering the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God. Review: FRANK, FRANK, STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. - A rites of passage type book, beautifully written, attention grabbing. When I started this book I decided to read it slowly, but couldn't stop reading. I had to find out what happened next. I am glad to read it. enjoyable read. The book takes place in the mid west, a small town in southern Minnesota during a long, hot summer in the year of 1961. Life was quiet, slow, people knew each other. The story is told by Frank Drum, thirteen years old that year. He tells of what happened in that town in that year forty years ago. Frank is middle aged now, married, grown children. I like the midwestern writers. They tell a good story, write good books. Frank is a middle child, older sister, Ariel, eighteen, musically gifted, getting ready to go east to Julliard, younger brother, Jake, eleven, who stutters badly, hates to speak and is teased by others. A boy who watches quietly, says nothing, knows much. That summer a young boy, only child of older parents is killed by a train. The boy was slow, Frank's age but two years behind in school. Frank's father, Nathan Drum, is the minister of the Methodist church so the family knows many people. That year, everything seems to have gone wrong. Things are not what they seem in this quiet midwestern town. Ruth Drum is musically gifted as is her daughter. She loves leading the choir and is active in everything musical in town. There is a mean teen age boy in and out of trouble, Morris Angdahl, who torments the Drum boys, a rough, mean cop, Doyle, Nathan's war buddy, Gus, another rough,drinking man with a heart of gold but a friend and protector of the Drum boys. There are some strange, interesting characters good to read about. The members of the wealthy Brundt family who own the finest home in town, midwestern royalty. Karl Brundt is the boyfriend of Ariel, His uncle, Emil, is a piano virtuoso, composer, well known, who went to war and returned blind, face badly scarred. His younger sister, Lise, is different, deaf, never leaves her home and keeps house for her brother. Lise will not relate to others except for Jake, keeps a lovely home, beautiful garden. There is the fascinating Indian, Warren Redstone. Frank is nosy, always being places he has been told to stay away from, dangerous, listening to conversations he has no business hearing. There is so much truth in the book. It has won several awards, well deserved. This is the first book I have read by Mr. Krueger. He is a wonderful writer who pulls readers into his books. Review: Comforting lessons revealed via interesting characters, relationships, and story-telling in small town USA, 1961 - I read this as assigned reading for a book group of fellow moms who have special needs children. I found it engrossing and, at times, difficult to read due to the emotions it brought forth (especially regarding certain characters with "special needs" who, in the early 1960s, were disparaged as "retarded"). The book is reminscent of To Kill A Mockingbird (the father is a hero, there are several Boo Radleys), the narrator looks back 40 years later with perspective, but places you in the action of the past. It reminded me also of the movie Stand by Me in that it is a coming of age story of 2 young brothers, both of whom I came to love quickly. The author insightfully describes flawed characters and families and the dynamics and weakness/strengths of families and the thin line between characters pulling together in love and becoming stronger and/or completely falling apart in their unhappiness due to circumstances beyond their control and the dangers of taking others down with them. It is a sad, but redemptive tale. [I would give the book 5 stars (meaning "I loved it" rather than "I liked it" 4 star) except for the fact that it was so emotionally wrenching for me personally to read as it deals with so much death/loss in just 1 year and, similarly I am still grieving the loss of my own brother, father, and mother in law in a similar time frame. Still I feel I gained comfort and insight from it.] It offers many parables that boil down to death is a part of life, tho some of those deaths are much, much harder to accept than others, we do and it is human nature to seek escapes and even laugh shortly after tragedy, to lesson our pain. There are many brilliant passages that belong on sympathy cards and in funeral services. Without giving any spoilers, I'd like to quote wise words from one greiving character trying to comfort others at the funeral of one of the story's "Mockingbirds" felled that I found, in the context of the stories surrounding it, particularly moving: "When we feel abandoned, alone, and lost, what's left to us? What do I have, what do you have, what do any of us have left except the overpowering temptation to rail against God and to blame him for the dark night into which he's led us, to blame him for our misery, to blame him and cryout against him for not caring? What's left to us when that which we love most has been taken? "I will tell you what's left, three profound blessings...faith, hope, and love. These gifts, which are the foundation of eternity, God has given to us and he's given us complete control over them. Even in the darkest night it's still within our power to hold to faith. We can still embrace hope. And although we may ourselves feel unloved, we can still stand steadfast in our love for others and for God. All this is in our control. God gave us these gifts and he does not thake them back. It is we who choose to discard them. "In your dark night, I urge you to hold to your faith, to embrace hope, and to bear your love before you like a burning candle, for I promise that it will light your way. And whether you believe in miracles or not...you will experience one. It may not be the miracle you've prayed for. God probably won't undo what's been done. The miracle is this: that you will rise in the morning and be able to see again the startling beauty of the day. "Jesus suffered the dark night and death and on the third day he rose again through the grace of his loving father. For each of us, the sun sets and the sun also rises and through the grace of our Lord we can endure our own dark night and rise to the dawning of a new day and rejoice...in the beauty of this morning which he has given us." Rereading those words out of context, I guess they could come out of any pulpit on any given Sunday, but within the novel the words were quite moving to me, much like Atticus' closing arguments. In short, Ordinary Grace offers wise lessons revealed through interesting characters and relationships. The engrossing story could take place in any small town USA back in 1961. It is refreshing to be placed in the "simpler" times many are nostalgic for (forgetting the awful prejudices of many toward Native Americans, the disabled, and homosexuals), if for no other reason than it is devoid of cell phones and computers and so many modern day distractions. The author paints a believable portrait full of bologna sandwiches, "jello salads" as well as forgotten chores like ironing. His peaceful descriptions include gardens, the natural beauty of a flowing river but also the excitement and tension of railroad tracks and trellises and believable characters capable of drama, secrets, prejudices and injustices--as well as compassion, love, forgiveness and the necessary acceptance of "the awful grace of God." ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #3,822 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #9 in Historical Mystery #93 in Coming of Age Fiction (Books) #260 in Literary Fiction (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 47,962 Reviews | ## Images ![Ordinary Grace - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81YDPESGu2L.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ FRANK, FRANK, STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. *by J***S on January 31, 2016* A rites of passage type book, beautifully written, attention grabbing. When I started this book I decided to read it slowly, but couldn't stop reading. I had to find out what happened next. I am glad to read it. enjoyable read. The book takes place in the mid west, a small town in southern Minnesota during a long, hot summer in the year of 1961. Life was quiet, slow, people knew each other. The story is told by Frank Drum, thirteen years old that year. He tells of what happened in that town in that year forty years ago. Frank is middle aged now, married, grown children. I like the midwestern writers. They tell a good story, write good books. Frank is a middle child, older sister, Ariel, eighteen, musically gifted, getting ready to go east to Julliard, younger brother, Jake, eleven, who stutters badly, hates to speak and is teased by others. A boy who watches quietly, says nothing, knows much. That summer a young boy, only child of older parents is killed by a train. The boy was slow, Frank's age but two years behind in school. Frank's father, Nathan Drum, is the minister of the Methodist church so the family knows many people. That year, everything seems to have gone wrong. Things are not what they seem in this quiet midwestern town. Ruth Drum is musically gifted as is her daughter. She loves leading the choir and is active in everything musical in town. There is a mean teen age boy in and out of trouble, Morris Angdahl, who torments the Drum boys, a rough, mean cop, Doyle, Nathan's war buddy, Gus, another rough,drinking man with a heart of gold but a friend and protector of the Drum boys. There are some strange, interesting characters good to read about. The members of the wealthy Brundt family who own the finest home in town, midwestern royalty. Karl Brundt is the boyfriend of Ariel, His uncle, Emil, is a piano virtuoso, composer, well known, who went to war and returned blind, face badly scarred. His younger sister, Lise, is different, deaf, never leaves her home and keeps house for her brother. Lise will not relate to others except for Jake, keeps a lovely home, beautiful garden. There is the fascinating Indian, Warren Redstone. Frank is nosy, always being places he has been told to stay away from, dangerous, listening to conversations he has no business hearing. There is so much truth in the book. It has won several awards, well deserved. This is the first book I have read by Mr. Krueger. He is a wonderful writer who pulls readers into his books. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Comforting lessons revealed via interesting characters, relationships, and story-telling in small town USA, 1961 *by S***Y on February 3, 2016* I read this as assigned reading for a book group of fellow moms who have special needs children. I found it engrossing and, at times, difficult to read due to the emotions it brought forth (especially regarding certain characters with "special needs" who, in the early 1960s, were disparaged as "retarded"). The book is reminscent of To Kill A Mockingbird (the father is a hero, there are several Boo Radleys), the narrator looks back 40 years later with perspective, but places you in the action of the past. It reminded me also of the movie Stand by Me in that it is a coming of age story of 2 young brothers, both of whom I came to love quickly. The author insightfully describes flawed characters and families and the dynamics and weakness/strengths of families and the thin line between characters pulling together in love and becoming stronger and/or completely falling apart in their unhappiness due to circumstances beyond their control and the dangers of taking others down with them. It is a sad, but redemptive tale. [I would give the book 5 stars (meaning "I loved it" rather than "I liked it" 4 star) except for the fact that it was so emotionally wrenching for me personally to read as it deals with so much death/loss in just 1 year and, similarly I am still grieving the loss of my own brother, father, and mother in law in a similar time frame. Still I feel I gained comfort and insight from it.] It offers many parables that boil down to death is a part of life, tho some of those deaths are much, much harder to accept than others, we do and it is human nature to seek escapes and even laugh shortly after tragedy, to lesson our pain. There are many brilliant passages that belong on sympathy cards and in funeral services. Without giving any spoilers, I'd like to quote wise words from one greiving character trying to comfort others at the funeral of one of the story's "Mockingbirds" felled that I found, in the context of the stories surrounding it, particularly moving: "When we feel abandoned, alone, and lost, what's left to us? What do I have, what do you have, what do any of us have left except the overpowering temptation to rail against God and to blame him for the dark night into which he's led us, to blame him for our misery, to blame him and cryout against him for not caring? What's left to us when that which we love most has been taken? "I will tell you what's left, three profound blessings...faith, hope, and love. These gifts, which are the foundation of eternity, God has given to us and he's given us complete control over them. Even in the darkest night it's still within our power to hold to faith. We can still embrace hope. And although we may ourselves feel unloved, we can still stand steadfast in our love for others and for God. All this is in our control. God gave us these gifts and he does not thake them back. It is we who choose to discard them. "In your dark night, I urge you to hold to your faith, to embrace hope, and to bear your love before you like a burning candle, for I promise that it will light your way. And whether you believe in miracles or not...you will experience one. It may not be the miracle you've prayed for. God probably won't undo what's been done. The miracle is this: that you will rise in the morning and be able to see again the startling beauty of the day. "Jesus suffered the dark night and death and on the third day he rose again through the grace of his loving father. For each of us, the sun sets and the sun also rises and through the grace of our Lord we can endure our own dark night and rise to the dawning of a new day and rejoice...in the beauty of this morning which he has given us." Rereading those words out of context, I guess they could come out of any pulpit on any given Sunday, but within the novel the words were quite moving to me, much like Atticus' closing arguments. In short, Ordinary Grace offers wise lessons revealed through interesting characters and relationships. The engrossing story could take place in any small town USA back in 1961. It is refreshing to be placed in the "simpler" times many are nostalgic for (forgetting the awful prejudices of many toward Native Americans, the disabled, and homosexuals), if for no other reason than it is devoid of cell phones and computers and so many modern day distractions. The author paints a believable portrait full of bologna sandwiches, "jello salads" as well as forgotten chores like ironing. His peaceful descriptions include gardens, the natural beauty of a flowing river but also the excitement and tension of railroad tracks and trellises and believable characters capable of drama, secrets, prejudices and injustices--as well as compassion, love, forgiveness and the necessary acceptance of "the awful grace of God." ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Not your grandma's Christian novel *by K***R on April 11, 2026* ORDINARY GRACE by William Kent Krueger is not your grandma's Christian novel (think Grace Livingston Hill) nor your mama's Christian novel (think Karen Kingsbury). It is gritty, evocative,' and does not shy away from portraying characters' strong points, foibles, and outright flaws. The story is well-written with unforgettable characters. It portrays the summer of 1961 for thirteen-year-old Frank Drum. During that summer four deaths affect him. Frank learns "About the terrible price of wisdom. The awful grace of God" (Prologue). If this book was a movie, it would deserve a strong R rating for human violence and one disturbing incident of animal abuse. All other categories (Dialogue, Sex, Language) would deserve a PG-13 rating. It is worth reading and will make you explore feelings and think deeply. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/1357293-ordinary-grace](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/1357293-ordinary-grace) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-05-17*