Author: William Kent Krueger Publisher: Atria Books (Simon & Schuster imprint) Publication Date: September 5, 2023 Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
Nobody captures mid-century America like William Kent Krueger, and The River We Remember proves it all over again.
One of his greatest strengths is how well-rounded his characters are. I could not bring myself to like even the “best” of them for the entire story. Why? Because they are layered with virtues and flaws and feel so incredibly real. You root for them and get angry with them in equal measure. Kudos.
The setting is atmospheric and evocative. Although the town is fictional, I know the exact area of Minnesota Krueger used, and I have visited many times. He captures it beautifully and writes the era with accuracy: the farming lifestyle, the people, the town. He highlights the wholesome and the good but does not shy away from the bad, including the racism and the sexism. There were moments that made me want to shake people for being so horrible. There were also moments of tenderness that made me wish I could travel back in time to meet some of these characters.
The plot builds slowly, but with richness and care. I had my theory by the 30 percent mark. I was wrong. I rarely get fooled by mysteries, so that is a big positive in my book. I was utterly engrossed and stayed up until 1:30 a.m. to finish. Yes, I am still tired today, but it was worth it!
William Kent Krueger is always a safe bet for a good read. I recommend The River We Remember to fans of historical fiction, to those who love nuanced characters, and to anyone who enjoys a well-constructed mystery.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓
I’ll be thinking about these characters for a long time, even if I didn’t always like them.
