Book Review: North of Hope

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I recently read North of Hope by Jon Hassler for a book discussion with faculty and staff at work. It was the first time I got a chance to participate in anything like that at work, so I was looking forward to it. Plus, I don't get out of my office much...

Anyway, the book is about a Catholic priest, Father Frank Healy, living and ministering in Northern Minnesota on an Ojibway reservation. He's in the middle of a vocational crisis and trying desperately to fix it when he runs into his old high school girlfriend, Libby. Libby has some major issues of her own to deal with- a mentally ill daughter, a drug-dealing alcoholic husband, and her own loss of hope.

I loved the book. I thought the characters were imperfect and believable. I loved the regional dialect and topics of conversation (the weather), the cultural tension, and each character's own struggle with hope, faith, morals, and love. Since the book takes place in Northern Minnesota, the weather is a major factor in the book...so much so that it's like another character. I'll be honest, I started reading this back in January and had to put it away for awhile because Hassler does such a wonderful job describing the dreary, bleak, bone-crushingly cold winter that I couldn't handle reading it at that point!

In our discussion, we talked about the themes of hope and love and how those changed for each character throughout the story. Some people thought the book was bleak and sad; I thought it was hopeful, yet real. I mean, there are definitely some heavy issues and tough struggles in the book (I won't spoil anything), but hope is always there. There was humor too, especially in the gossipy old women and the pleasantly confused older priest.

One of the weirdest and most interesting parts of our book discussion was the comments this guy kept making. I swear he had at least three comments about Catholic priests not being able to marry. He also kept commenting about how "the tension could've easily been resolved" if Frank could've just married Libby or this or that could've happened. Well, no kidding. It was like he wanted everything to be nicely wrapped up and problems solved...hmm, I wonder if he is hoping for that in his own life? Sorry buddy, but life isn't always like that and neither is good writing.

Overall, the story has more to it than you might think at first glance. If you're looking for something to read, give North of Hope a try...especially if you're looking for your next book club selection-- the discussion can be really interesting!

What do you think? Would you prefer a book to have all its loose ends tied up nicely with a bow or would you prefer a little realism and tension? Do tell...