47 pages • 1 hour read
William Kent KruegerThis Tender Land
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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 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.