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Kevin Ansbro's Reviews > Ordinary Grace
Ordinary Grace
by
by
Kevin Ansbro's review
bookshelves: coming-of-age, family-dynamics, heartwarming, human-kindness, morality
Sep 15, 2019
bookshelves: coming-of-age, family-dynamics, heartwarming, human-kindness, morality
I was convinced to read this gentle coming-of-age story by an inundation of five-star reviews posted by wonderful Goodreads friends.
I would like the aforementioned friends to remain as such, so I'll get my main gripe out of the way and then move onto the good bits. : )
THE BAD BITS
Repetition of the word 'and':
>Thin and angry and blind and lost and shut up behind<
>trustworthy and loyal and thrifty and brave and clean and reverent<
>Forster's terns and black terns and great blue herons and egrets and bald eagles and warblers and other birds so ordinary and profuse<
Then there’s this little beauty:
>And I turned back and entered the shadow of the sanctuary still smiling and suffered the glaring condemnation of the congregation and sat through the long service in which Albert Griswold held forth in his impromptu and interminable sermon about the need to impress godly values on the youth of the day and when it was over I walked back to the house and found Jake upstairs in our room and I apologized.<
Holy bad editing, Batman! Eight 'ands' and not a comma in sight! Is the use of commas expressly forbidden in Minnesota?
These are just a few examples. I had to stop highlighting any others (there were several), as it was spoiling my enjoyment of the story.
THE GOOD NEWS
Clumsy writing/editing and run-on sentences notwithstanding, the story is a pleasant, inoffensive read and much of Krueger's prose is beautifully poetic. There is a strong narrative perspective and the author has a clear voice.
I felt that there was a Sunday afternoon, black and white movie atmosphere to the read; a 'To Kill a Mockingbird'-meets-'Stand by Me' vibe. It flows slowly and gently, like a lazy river, wonderfully depicting how children can often see things that adults miss because they have inquiring minds.
My favourite character was Jake, the younger brother who has a stutter. Because he is often uncommunicative, he listens keenly and possesses intuition beyond his years. I also warmed to Gus, who's an honourable, stand-up guy.
OVERVIEW
I prefer my books to come bounding in with some grit and pizzazz. There were no 'Omigod!' moments in this read and it was far too wholesome for my liking.
Please note that my inconsequential opinion is very much the minority one. This book has charmed almost everyone who has read it, so you can treat my review with a great deal of scepticism.
Big love to you all.
Don't hate me!
I would like the aforementioned friends to remain as such, so I'll get my main gripe out of the way and then move onto the good bits. : )
THE BAD BITS
Repetition of the word 'and':
>Thin and angry and blind and lost and shut up behind<
>trustworthy and loyal and thrifty and brave and clean and reverent<
>Forster's terns and black terns and great blue herons and egrets and bald eagles and warblers and other birds so ordinary and profuse<
Then there’s this little beauty:
>And I turned back and entered the shadow of the sanctuary still smiling and suffered the glaring condemnation of the congregation and sat through the long service in which Albert Griswold held forth in his impromptu and interminable sermon about the need to impress godly values on the youth of the day and when it was over I walked back to the house and found Jake upstairs in our room and I apologized.<
Holy bad editing, Batman! Eight 'ands' and not a comma in sight! Is the use of commas expressly forbidden in Minnesota?
These are just a few examples. I had to stop highlighting any others (there were several), as it was spoiling my enjoyment of the story.
THE GOOD NEWS
Clumsy writing/editing and run-on sentences notwithstanding, the story is a pleasant, inoffensive read and much of Krueger's prose is beautifully poetic. There is a strong narrative perspective and the author has a clear voice.
I felt that there was a Sunday afternoon, black and white movie atmosphere to the read; a 'To Kill a Mockingbird'-meets-'Stand by Me' vibe. It flows slowly and gently, like a lazy river, wonderfully depicting how children can often see things that adults miss because they have inquiring minds.
My favourite character was Jake, the younger brother who has a stutter. Because he is often uncommunicative, he listens keenly and possesses intuition beyond his years. I also warmed to Gus, who's an honourable, stand-up guy.
OVERVIEW
I prefer my books to come bounding in with some grit and pizzazz. There were no 'Omigod!' moments in this read and it was far too wholesome for my liking.
Please note that my inconsequential opinion is very much the minority one. This book has charmed almost everyone who has read it, so you can treat my review with a great deal of scepticism.
Big love to you all.
Don't hate me!
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Ordinary Grace.
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Reading Progress
August 22, 2019
– Shelved
August 22, 2019
– Shelved as:
to-read
September 8, 2019
–
Started Reading
September 15, 2019
– Shelved as:
coming-of-age
September 15, 2019
– Shelved as:
family-dynamics
September 15, 2019
– Shelved as:
heartwarming
September 15, 2019
– Shelved as:
human-kindness
September 15, 2019
– Shelved as:
morality
September 15, 2019
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 209 (209 new)
I always enjoy your reviews Kevin and I think the Minnesota government has expressly forbidden the use of commas and the use of and can probably be linked to the powerful conjunction lobbyists who are allowed to run rampant through the American heartland by the Trump administration's woeful lack of oversight and im glad you liked this one better than Never Let Me Go which deserves a special place near the summit of the literary dung heap and I enjoyed how much fun of it we all made that one time and those were good times and I hope you have a chance to read some more Philip K Dick sometimes and my phone keeps wanting to change his surname to Duck for some strange reason and I think you would really like The Man in the High Castle or A Scanner Darkly or some of his short stories and anyway I always enjoy your thoughts and reviews and I hope all is well for you.
RJ wrote: "I always enjoy your reviews Kevin and I think the Minnesota government has expressly forbidden the use of commas and the use of and can probably be linked to the powerful conjunction lobbyists who ..."Wow! Brilliant work, RJ! : D
It was just like reading the book again!
I will check out your recommendations. Thank you!!
Out of curiosity, is the profusion of ands (and that crazy run-on sentence) used in an attempt at atmospheric effect? Or was it simply lack of editing? Not to take a dig at my religious friends, but I know going to church makes me feel like that sentence. . . ;D
Sorry this didn't work for you, Kevin. Nice review
Well done review with your pros and cons, Kevin. I’m one of the ones that loved it...
"Interminable" indeed! There was charm and skill, just as you note, but boy - I was entirely glad to be finished with this one. There's a saying here in the deep South of the US... if you have nothing nice to say, then come on over and sit by me. I'll save you a seat, friend!
Lynette wrote: "Out of curiosity, is the profusion of ands (and that crazy run-on sentence) used in an attempt at atmospheric effect? Or was it simply lack of editing? Not to take a dig at my religious friends, bu..."I'm not sure, Lynette, but I strongly disapprove of run-on sentences as a literary device anyway (ditto, the omission of speech marks). Why do something that is grammatically incorrect if it doesn't enhance the flow?
Jeannie wrote: "Sorry this didn't work for you, Kevin. Nice review"Thank you, Jeannie. You're very kind. : )
Paula wrote: "Well done review with your pros and cons, Kevin. I’m one of the ones that loved it..."I'm so sorry, Paula. I was really looking forward to it!
LeAnne: wrote: ""Interminable" indeed! There was charm and skill, just as you note, but boy - I was entirely glad to be finished with this one. There's a saying here in the deep South of the US... if you have noth..."I'll sit by you, LeAnne.
It pained me to find fault when so many people loved this. It's comforting to know that I'm not alone. Thank you!
And I tend to use the word and a lot too and I don't know why and it's just one of those quirks of nature 🤔Another fab review Kevvy. We still love you!
Nat wrote: "And I tend to use the word and a lot too and I don't know why and it's just one of those quirks of nature 🤔Another fab review Kevvy. We still love you!"
Thanks, Nat. We love you too!
Nicola wrote: "Thank you Kevin for all your thoughts! I have this still to read! It was interesting to read what worked for you and what didn’t! :)"
You're very welcome, Nicola. Please don't let my review put you off. As you can see, most readers of this book have come away happy.
: )
Kevin wrote: "Paula wrote: "Well done review with your pros and cons, Kevin. I’m one of the ones that loved it..."I'm so sorry, Paula. I was really looking forward to it!"
Disappointing when this happens, Kevin. I have found myself in the same position of not being thrilled with a book that everyone else thinks is fantastic!
Paula wrote: "Disappointing when this happens, Kevin. I have found myself in the same position of not being thrilled with a book that everyone else thinks is fantastic!..."
Thank you, Paula. That makes me feel better.
Jake and Gus were easy to love. Splendid review, Kevin. Wonder why I didn’t get nettled by those ‘and’s. Good for me to see what writers see in a book. Mrs A is spot on again. 😊
Laysee wrote: "Jake and Gus were easy to love. Splendid review, Kevin. Wonder why I didn’t get nettled by those ‘and’s. Good for me to see what writers see in a book. Mrs A is spot on again. 😊"Thank you, Laysee! Mrs A was ahead of me on her read of this book and insisted on rattling off dodgy sentences with alarming regularity. That didn't help my reading flow.
I truly wish I could switch off my writer's head whilst reading a book. I should imagine police detectives are the same when they watch a police procedural TV drama. : )
One more thing: I had just finished Salman Rushdie's latest, which was word perfect; so most authors' writing would pale in comparison.
Kevin wrote: "One more thing: I had just finished Salman Rushdie's latest, which was word perfect; so most authors' writing would pale in comparison."Word perfect is very high praise, Kevin. Which Rushdie book which you recommend I start with?
Laysee wrote: "Kevin wrote: "One more thing: I had just finished Salman Rushdie's latest, which was word perfect; so most authors' writing would pale in comparison."Word perfect is very high praise, Kevin. Which Rushdie book which you recommend I start with?..."
Ooh, most definitely Midnight's Children, which won the Booker Prize in 1981. Possibly my favourite novel!! : )
I enjoyed this one too. We read this as a fiction group read at the reading for pleasure book club on here a few years back and I thought the audiobook of it was pretty good.
Amber wrote: "I enjoyed this one too. We read this as a fiction group read at the reading for pleasure book club on here a few years back and I thought the audiobook of it was pretty good."I can see how this one would work better on audio, Amber. It is a cosy, likeable read, but too tame for me.
Kevin, thanks once again for an honest "and" insightful review. Too MANY books are getting past editors that are NOT paying attention to grammar, punctuation, etc. What a sad comment on the publishing world.
And I'm with you and it was pretty ordinary and tame and inoffensive and if he doesn't wow me better with the new one we're done and a fun review and I liked it.
Almira wrote: "Kevin, thanks once again for an honest "and" insightful review. Too MANY books are getting past editors that are NOT paying attention to grammar, punctuation, etc. What a sad comment on the publishing world...."Thank you so much, Almira. I would much rather read gorgeously-written books that are packed with flamboyance, jeopardy and intrigue, but alas I meet the occasional one that doesn't live up to its promise.
Still, I've mostly had a good run this year. : )
Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "And I'm with you and it was pretty ordinary and tame and inoffensive and if he doesn't wow me better with the new one we're done and a fun review and I liked it."I really appreciate that, Cathrine.
For my taste, it was tame and uneventful.
I loved your honest review and absolutely agreed with your key points.
A Wholesome book oh my! One on my list to read maybe someday.
I respect your opinion and I get what you're saying. I hope I won't be bothered by the things that irked you, although, normally, they'd bother me as well. I feel I've become less strict when it comes to punctuation, after reading and enjoying Winman, Ali Smith and a few others. My library is purchasing this because I requested it, so I do hope I enjoy it more than you did. I guess we'll see.
![Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!]](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1712357414p1/6658001.jpg)
Kevin wrote: "...and it was far too wholesome for my liking."I love this comment Kevin! I think this is what I think about "A Gentleman in Moscow".
Had fun reading your review....especially as I have read nothing but glowing reviews of it......fabulous, Kevin! :)
Marialyce wrote: "A Wholesome book oh my! One on my list to read maybe someday."
Wholesome it is, Marialyce. And a lot of people like wholesome.
I do from time to time. I love uplifting James Stewart movies, for example, yet couldn't bear something as saccharine as The Waltons.
This book ain't no Steinbeck.
Holly wrote: "Very much enjoyed your review Kevin!"Thanks, Holly! : )
Bianca wrote: "I respect your opinion and I get what you're saying. I hope I won't be bothered by the things that irked you, although, normally, they'd bother me as well. I feel I've become less strict when it co..."I hope so too, Bianca.
My guess is that it will prove too nicey-nicey for your taste, but I could be wildly wrong!
Terence M wrote: "Kevin wrote: "...and it was far too wholesome for my liking."I love this comment Kevin! I think this is what I think about "A Gentleman in Moscow"."
I see! Gotcha, Terence.
Well, the writing in this book certainly doesn't compare to that of Towles.
Paromjit wrote: "Had fun reading your review....especially as I have read nothing but glowing reviews of it......fabulous, Kevin! :)"Thank you, Paromjit. You really are most kind. : )
I would love to only read books that beguile me from start to finish, but they seem to be in short supply these days.
No chance of losing any GR friends because you didn’t love or. At least not this one!
Great review, Kevin! That’s a lot of “and”s! Looking forward to reading this book sometime before the end of the year, but appreciate the heads up in maybe adjusting my expectations. Hope you love your next read!
Angela M wrote: "No chance of losing any GR friends because you didn’t love or. At least not this one!"Thank you, Angela. I would much rather write something nice, that's for sure.
Brandice wrote: "Great review, Kevin! That’s a lot of “and”s! Looking forward to reading this book sometime before the end of the year, but appreciate the heads up in maybe adjusting my expectations. Hope you love your next read! ..."Thanks, Brandice. That's especially kind.
And I hope that you enjoy this one. Most readers have! : )
Not my kind of book, but LOVED your review and the way you set it out - very cool!!
Morgan wrote: "Not my kind of book, but LOVED your review and the way you set it out - very cool!!"Thanks, Morgan!
And you gave A Gentleman in Moscow five stars. Now there's a great writer!
One of the best. It's the kind of book you can read more than once and enjoy it every time.
Morgan wrote: "One of the best. It's the kind of book you can read more than once and enjoy it every time."Absolutely, Morgan!
In terms of writing skill, it soars majestically above this one.
It "soars majestically" above most that I've read this year :)
A splendid review, Kevin! I'm sorry the book left you flat. "Holy bad editing, Batman!"-This line caused me to sputter my drink all over the place! 😂
Ooof those examples of the overuse of the word ‘and’ were painful. I don’t think I’d be able to read this now without it offending me...thanks I think? 🤨
Kimber wrote: "A splendid review, Kevin! I'm sorry the book left you flat. "Holy bad editing, Batman!"-This line caused me to sputter my drink all over the place! 😂"
Thanks, Kimber!
And I was anticipating such good things after all the acclamatory reviews.
Still, I made you sputter your drink. Result! : D
Vanessa wrote: "Ooof those examples of the overuse of the word ‘and’ were painful. I don’t think I’d be able to read this now without it offending me...thanks I think? 🤨"Seriously, Vanessa, I was gobsmacked that such a high profile release would have so many 'run-on', repetitive sentences. It was distracting and highly annoying. And I didn't even mention the spelling mistakes! : (
*sigh*
Aaaaand spelling mistakes!? Come on!
I liked it but didn't love it, Elyse. : (
I'm so sorry!