Point of View

“Ordinary Grace” by William Kent Krueger is told in the first person narrative and from the point of view of the protagonist, 13-year-old Frank Drum. The story takes place in New Bremen, Minnesota, in 1961. Frank Drum tells the story thirty years later as an adult. He is thinking back to that summer because of all the deaths – some of which were homicides – which he and his family had to deal with.

Frank is a bright youngster and self-confessed future juvenile delinquent who often skirts the rules set out by his parents. His younger brother, Jake, is more like their father who is a Methodist minister who is gentle and conservative. Frank takes after his more fiery, non-conformist mother who has an avant garde attitude toward God and church, especially after all the murders.

Frank is well-intentioned when he breaks the rules. He’s trying to...