Jon hassler, a nationally respected author of novels, plays and nonfiction, is widely considered one of the most insightful, entertaining and authentic voices of minnesota. This is the first book ive read by jon hassler and i was pleasantly surprised. Jon hassler was born in minneapolis, but spent his formative years in the. Grand opening views one familys move to a minnesota small town and their attempt to make a go of a ramshackle grocery store.
At the age of eightyeight, agatha mcgee has grudging. The complete series list for a staggerford novel jon hassler. Grand opening is a most satisfying book, a poignant comingofage about a 12yearold and his familys attempt to make a go of a ramshackle grocery store during the waning days of world war ii. Jon hassler books list of books by author jon hassler. In 1987, hasslers fifth novel, grand opening, a tale told from the point of view of a twelveyearold boy living in the corrupt town of plainview, minnesota, won the. Hasslers writing style is graceful, yet economical. We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. It was a definite breath of fresh air considering the last few books i read were a complete waste of my time. Since 1977, jon hasslers staggerford series has entranced readers with its funny and charming depiction of life in smalltown america. Books 16855736 jon hassler, beloved minnesota novelist, dead at 74. Registration is now open for the jon hassler festival 2015, scheduled for june 1415 at central lakes college clc in brainerd. Added to my satisfaction is that jon hassler is a new author to me. A green journey, morrow new york, ny, 1985, reprinted, ballantine books new york, ny, 1996.
The author laid down his patch of smalltown minnesota and made it his own, as surely as faulkner owned yoknapatawpha country, and dorothy parker new york city. Write best wishes, and your name, was his adamantine instruction. He had a string of novels to his name, many of them examining the intricacies of life in small. Jon hasslers grand opening the imaginative conservative.
Twelveyear old brendan tells the story, set in 194445, that begins. By default, it sorts by the number, or alphabetically if there is no number. Below is a list of jon lands books in order of when they were originally published. Mar 20, 2008 famed minnesota novelist jon hassler has died. Since discovering novelist jon hassler, ive had that conversation or variations thereof with. If the series has an order, add a number or other descriptor in parenthesis after the series title eg. The staggerford series in order jon hassler fictiondb. Since 1977, jon hassler s staggerford series has entranced readers with its funny and charming depiction of life in smalltown america. Jon land made his debut as a published novelist in 1983 with the doomsday spiral in 1983. The author laid down his patch of smalltown minnesota and made it his own, as surely as faulkner owned. Grand opening by jon hassler book 11 editions published. John hassler was born in 1933 and grew up in minnesota. His novels staggerfordand grand opening won prestigious literary awards.
Mar 21, 2008 books 16855736 jon hassler, beloved minnesota novelist, dead at 74. Beloved author jon hassler, whose inconquerable will to write became as much admired as his novels steeped in smalltown. Buy grand opening by jon hassler online at alibris. The festival includes 40 professionals presenting entertainment. All is apparently sweetness and light in this little town late during world war two, but look out. Grand opening by hassler, jon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Johns university and divides his time between minneapolis, minnesota, and melbourne beach, florida. The book has no character or locale from his previous books, which i regretted. Order reprint beloved author jon hassler, whose inconquerable will to. Jon hassler has 25 books on goodreads with 809 ratings. Jon hassler, beloved minnesota novelist, dead at 74. Twelveyear old brendan tells the story, set in 194445, that begins with his parents decision to buy a rundow. Hassler grand opening beautifully limns each character, from the curmudgeonly parish housekeeper touched by. Grand opening by jon hassler and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
A television version of a green journey starring angela lansbury and denholm elliott. Clergy college stories college teachers crime detective and mystery stories domestic fiction families fictionauthorship fine books floods friendship hassler, jon identity philosophical concept. If youve never read any of his books, i might suggest grand opening as a good place to start. Staggerford by jon hassler 1977, hardcover for sale online. The story treats us to a wedge of time in the lives of a family whose lives are changed forever by moving to a small town and opening a business. Staggerford by jon hassler 1977, hardcover for sale. Browse author series lists, sequels, pseudonyms, synopses, book covers, ratings and awards. The focus of the novel is the moral comingofage of brendan foster. I still remember coming across a new paperback copy of hasslers novel, staggerford, on the local authors table at a bookstore in the minneapolisst. To purchase items from the shop, please call 320 2559052. If you want to force a particular order, use the character to divide the number and the descriptor. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. He specialized in defending against the many traps for a writers energies.
Today we offer a debut mystery, some nonfiction and a couple books for the kids, all from minnesota writers. There is no order in which to read great novels, of course, but start perhaps with grand opening. Grand opening by jon hassler 1996, paperback trending price. The transformational world of jon hassler america magazine. An interview with jon hassler, dinkytown antiquarian bookstore minneapolis, mn, 1990. Jon land is an alltime best author of more than 28 novels. The author of many widely acclaimed novelsstaggerford, simons night, the love hunter, a green journey, grand opening, north of hope, dear james, rookery blues, deans list, the staggerford flood, the staggerford murders, and the new womanmr. The author of many widely acclaimed novelsstaggerford, simons night, the love hunter, a green journey, grand opening, north of hope, dear james. Registration open for jon hassler festival brainerd dispatch. I suspect that jon hassler will come to be recognized as a major 20thcentury novelist. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions.
Hasslers fifth sentimental novel set in minnesota, like his previous work a green journey, 1984, etc. In 1987, hassler s fifth novel, grand opening, a tale told from the point of view of a twelveyearold boy living in the corrupt town of plainview, minnesota, won the best fiction award, given by the society of midland authors. Hassler, who wrote 21 books in his lifetime, had been working on a novel when minnpost writer dave wood interviewed him last fall. He held the positions of regents professor emeritus and writerinresidence at st. Jon hassler was a minnesota author, teach, and artist. This was a concise description of who we were to one another, and a significant departure from the way he told me a writer ought to sign books. Johns university in minnesota, where he is now an english teacher and. Distinguished author and educator march 30, 1933march 20, 2008 jon hassler, a lifelong resident of minnesota, was born in minneapolis in 1933, lived his first ten years in staples and his next eight in plainview, where he graduated from high school. Hassler lived his life in minnesota, in small towns, mostly, and created staggerford, which i think is as important a place as faulkners world, and a whole lot more accessible to catholics. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Hassler, jon 1933jon francis hassler source for information on hassler. Beloved author jon hassler, whose inconquerable will to write became. We personally assess every book s quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures.
Nearly 40 years after jon hasslers first novel, staggerford, was. Hassler s writing style is graceful, yet economical. Jon hassler, considered one of minnesotas leading contemporary novelists, died early this morning from complications of a degenerative neuromuscular disease that had ravaged him for more than a. After college, hassler became a high school english teacher and taught at public high schools in three different minnesota towns while attending graduate school at the university of north dakota and eventually earning his m. Green journey, and grand opening, as well as two young adult novels.
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