Jon Hassler (1933–2008)

I've read almost all of Jon Hassler's books. He died in 2008. Between "newer" books, I pulled his NORTH OF HOPE (1990) off my shelf, intending to just glance at the first few pages, but then surrendered myself to it and ended up rereading the whole 400+ pages of this beautifully crafted novel of a unique love between a priest and a thrice-married woman who'd known each other since they were sixteen.
Set in the Carter years in Hassler's beloved northern Minnesota - he's often called a show more "regional" writer, a pity, since his stories touch universal themes - and featuring Catholicism front and center (also a Hassler constant), Father Frank Healy and Libby Girard are characters you won't soon forget. As a chronicler of Catholic clergy and parish life in mid-twentieth century, Hassler ranks right up there with J.F. Powers. RIP, Jon, and thank you - again. My highest recommendation.

- Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, BOOKLOVER show less

I've never met a Jon Hassler book I didn't like, and I've read at least a dozen by now. This limited printing (and signed) first edition of a rather rare Hassler animal - short stories - was a most welcome Christmas gift from my sister. Hassler claimed that he wrote these stories back in the early 70s before his first novel, STAGGERFORD, came out, and they weren't publishable then "because I didn't have a name." Sadly, this is the way publishing works. Fortunately for us, twenty-some years show more and a dozen or more books later, he did finally see fit to publish these seven lovely little stories in this beautifully bound collector's edition: KEEPSAKES & OTHER STORIES. Having once myself been an altar boy who had to deal with aged and cranky priests - and bossy nuns - I related most easily to the two central stories here, "Keepsakes" and "Resident Priest." Hassler's talent shines through in the subtle ways in which he makes old Father Fogarty a fallible and very real human being. And the opening piece, "Chase," is as good a portrait of a small town and coming-of-age as you are apt to find anywhere in fiction, and Hassler paints it in just a few pages. You can read KEEPSAKES in a couple hours or less, but make no mistake - it's a keeper. show less

English teacher Miles Pruitt is having a tough week. The high school principal will not get off his back, he has a bad toothache, and one of his pupils, a teenage girl, cry out for help in her messed up life. And he doesn’t know what to do about it, fearing rumours of a relationship with her.

On top of that there’s a fight in the classroom, a Chippewa student is being hurt, which upsets the whole community in a nearby Indian reservation. Pruitt is in the middle of an show more uprising.

[Staggerford] is the first in a series of novels that takes place in the fictional rural Minnesota town. It is populated with interesting and eccentric characters. There are many funny scenes and conversations. Specially Agatha McGee, a devout Catholic and strict school teacher with a good heart - she is a wonderful spirited character.

This was four stars until the sudden and tragic ending of the novel. I didn’t see that coming and didn’t feel it was in line with the otherwise “feel-good” and warmhearted mood of the novel. And some of the story-lines I felt were a little unresolved.

But it hasn’t deterred me from wanting more of Staggerford and John Hassler. [Simon’s Night] was much better, and I look forward to some more life wisdom from dear Agatha McGee who returns in some of the other Staggerford-novels. show less

Cruel, certainly, to be called a windy old bird, but hardly fatal. So he would return to Doctor Kirk on Wednesday morning, his wound healing, and while subjecting himself to the most demeaning of medical procedures he would wear the mask of goodhumored banter. It was becoming clear to Simon that that was the primary challenge of old age: to maintain your dignity no matter what fix you find yourself in.

This was a perfect read for me. It has all I love about a good novel. A heart-warming show more story, very funny yet also filled with wisdom, faith and empathy towards every character, and a genuinly good (but stubborn) hero who has sadly lost his way in the world.

This is a novel about how to deal with aging, regrets in life and the possibility of a second chance.

76 year old Simon Shea is a retired professor of English at a small Minnesota college. Recently he has begun to forget things. He forgets his car in town, forgets to turn of the gas stove and nearly burns down his house. So he commits himself to a private rest home - but it’s clear that it’s way to early for him for this drastic move.

Simon is a devout catholic and although his much younger wife moved out years ago he hasn’t divorced her - always somehow hoping she will return. Well, the wife gets nervous after he doesn’t return her phone calls and decides to find out where he is.

Simon finds new friends in the new place he’s settling into - and befriends a young couple. And the interaction with the other persons at the rest home is so funny.

The events of the novel all take place in one week with several flashbacks to earlier events. I like also Simon's simple ordinary prayers that are springled throughout the novel. They are so revealing and beautiful.

Not a very well-known novel - but I recommend it highly. show less