Laurentian Divide

September 1, 2018

Stonich follows up Vacationland with the second "Northern Trilogy" title, although this novel can stand alone. It's set in Hatchet Inlet, at the northernmost edge of Minnesota, near the ridge of the Laurentian Divide, where spring arrives in May when the ice starts to break. Lively Sissy has found love again with the older Alpo, and their wedding is imminent. Alpo's son Pete, the town veterinarian, is a recovering alcoholic whose inner battle is a constant stress to all. When the local beloved hermit Rauri, who usually navigates over to the mainland from his private island after the spring thaw, does not come into town, everyone starts to worry for his safety. When Pete heads out in nasty weather to check on Rauri, the happiness of the wedding plans are strained. VERDICT Stonich's hefty, strikingly descriptive writing captures the stark, dangerous yet undeniably beautiful land and waters of the area. Her characters leap off the page and linger in readers' minds. Since most people in the country are unfamiliar with the harsh conditions that the folks in northern Minnesota face, this novel is a gust of fresh icy air that is emotional, diverse, and enlightening.--Beth Gibbs, Davidson, NC

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2018
The sleepy town of Hatchet Inlet, Minnesota, is finally waking up from a long, frigid winter. Residents gather at Pavola's diner, eager to chat about the waitress' upcoming wedding; to mourn the loss of two bright young women in a car wreck; and to wager on when stubborn recluse Rauri Paar will make his seasonal trek back into town. Rauri spends winters alone on the private land that's been grandfathered out of inclusion in the million-acre wilderness called the Reserve. The small-town gossip mill starts churning when Rauri doesn't show up, and more than a few residents begin to suspect foul play. Picking up where she left off in Vacationland? (2013), Stonich weaves past and present into a lyrical, immersive novel. Fans of Kent Haruf and Paulette Jiles will fall in love with Stonich's depiction of Minnesota: harsh and welcoming, friendly and unforgiving, all at once. Exploring the consequences of actions set in motion months, years, or even decades ago, Stonich's slow burn of a novel questions what?and who?can belong to us.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)