The Readers -- May 17, 2023

The Readers met on May 17 to discuss Lightning Strike, by William Kent Krueger. They gave the book a rating of 3.75 stars out of a possible 5. The book is a coming of age story that follows Cork O'connor, growing up the son of a Native American school teacher and an Irishman, who also happens to be the town sheriff. When Cork and his friend Jorge, come across the hanging body of a local Native American, Big John, it sets off a train of conflicts in the small Minnesota town of Aurora. 

The discussion group liked the story, although not quite as much as This Tender Land, a book they read last year by the same author. They enjoyed the way Krueger paints his characters, giving them life and making them people we can care about. They enjoy his Minnesota settings and the way he is not afraid to smack us in the face with the way Native Americans were, and still can be treated. The group did feel that the author took liberties with Cork, making him just a bit more intelligent than he probably really is at the age of 12. They also liked the way the book ended, on a positive note with a hopeful future for Cork and his friends. One member liked the book so much that she plans to read all of Kureger's other books.