This Tender Land

by William Kent Krueger
This Tender Land cover
Good Books rating 4.31
Historical Fiction
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Paperback • £8.99
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Technical
  • ID: 1559
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9781476749310
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2019-09-03
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4

In the summer of 1932, Odie O’Banion and his brother Albert, along with their friends Mose and Emmy, flee from the harsh Lincoln Indian Training School in Minnesota. Their escape leads them on a perilous journey down the Mississippi River, where they meet a variety of people who are also struggling during the Great Depression. The novel beautifully captures the spirit of adventure and the resilience of the human spirit against the backdrop of the American landscape./n/nThis Tender Land is a heartwarming and epic tale that explores themes of freedom, belonging, and the connections that bind us together. The story is told with a lyrical prose that brings the characters and their journey to life, making it a modern classic that resonates with readers.

Reviews
Book Thoughts from Bed · 2022-05-02
uplifting 4.00

This Tender Land is a good, heartfelt story with an ultimately uplifting message. It is a captivating tale that leaves a lasting impression.

The reviewer found This Tender Land to be a deeply moving and uplifting story. They appreciated the heartfelt narrative and the way the book's message resonated with them. The reviewer also mentioned that the story is captivating and leaves a lasting impression, making it a memorable read. They enjoyed the emotional journey and the connections made throughout the book, highlighting its heartfelt and uplifting nature.

Quick quotes

    All in all, This Tender Land is a good, heartfelt story with an ultimately uplifting message.

    If you've read it, I'd love to know your thoughts.

    This Tender Land is a captivating tale that leaves a lasting impression.

Book by Book · 2022-04-21
brilliant 5.00

The engrossing, warmhearted, and suspenseful historical novel blew the reviewer away. They loved every minute of it and never wanted it to end.

The reviewer was thoroughly captivated by 'This Tender Land,' praising its engrossing and warmhearted narrative. They found the historical setting richly detailed and the suspenseful elements kept them on the edge of their seat. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the book is evident, as they mentioned loving every minute of it and wishing it never had to end. The emotional depth and the journey of the characters left a lasting impression on them.

Quick quotes

    This engrossing, warmhearted, suspenseful historical novel just blew me away.

    I loved every minute of it and never wanted it to end.

    The characters' journey is deeply moving and the historical context is beautifully portrayed.

Tucker the Reader · 2020-06-29
good 3.50

The book was not mind-shatteringly amazing but still enjoyable. It is a great coming-of-age story that the reviewer recommends to everyone.

The reviewer found 'This Tender Land' to be a good read, though not exceptional. They appreciated the coming-of-age elements and the emotional depth of the characters. The story's journey and the challenges faced by the protagonists resonated with them, making it a worthwhile read. Despite some minor disappointments, the reviewer still highly recommends the book for its heartfelt storytelling and engaging narrative.

Quick quotes

    Overall, this book wasn't mind shatteringly amazing but I still really enjoyed it.

    It was a great coming of age story that I recommend everyone to read.

    The characters were well-developed and the emotional journey was compelling.

Hopewell's Library of Life · 2020-02-10
compelling 4.75

This Tender Land is a coming-of-age story, a road trip story, and a story of redemption all in one. It is a potential best read of the year.

The reviewer sees This Tender Land as a multifaceted story that combines elements of a coming-of-age tale, a road trip adventure, and a journey of redemption. They highly recommend it and consider it one of the best books they've read. The reviewer appreciates the rich layers of the narrative and the way it weaves together different themes seamlessly. They found the story compelling and emotionally resonant, making it a standout read that they believe others will enjoy as much as they did.

Quick quotes

    A coming of age story, a road trip story, a story of redemption all in one.

    It is the first on my list of the potential 'Best Book Read in 2020.'

    This Tender Land is a compelling and emotionally resonant story that weaves together different themes seamlessly.

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