LAURENTIAN DIVIDE is just a delight. It follows the inhabitants of a small town in northern Minnesota over the course of a few days. Stonich's writing is true to life, her characters are completely relatable and her descriptions of the wilderness bordering Minnesota and Canada are beautiful. I loved it and plan to buy several copies as gifts for Christmas.

This book I read in one day. It's not really a mystery but rather a story about every day people who live in northern Minnesota where the winters go on forever. The characters are finely-drawn and their portrayal is poignant. And, that has to be one of the funniest wedding ever!!!

Somehow I missed the first book in the series so I may have missed more of the back story, but it didn't seem all that much. This book kept me turning pages faster and faster - I needed to know what happened or didn't happen to Rauri. While solving that mystery I met the other residents of the area - and truly enjoyed meeting them, Now I have to go back and read Vacationland and anxiously await the next book. If yioue love orthern Minnesota - this book is definitely for you.,

Richard Russo's rating of LAURENTIAN DIVIDE as "hilarious, smart, moving and kind" and "good for the soul" drew me to the book and the story kept me there at a time when I had been having trouble sticking with any book. Following a tragic accident the previous year, the residents of Hatchet's Inlet worry about the apparent disappearance of reclusive island-dweller Rauri Paar. Meanwhile wedding plans, business plans, romances, recovery, etc. go on.

This is one of those books you find a comfortable chair, sit back, relax and take a journey with citizens of a small town in rural Hatchet Inlet. The town is preparing for the wedding of Sissy and Alpo, we have Sissy’s mother, who is an absolute hoot, unfortunately she has Alzheimer’s but she brings light for Sissy and her sister. We start with Sissy, she has many things going on and she’s not quite sure who she really is. We have Alpo, not sure how old Alpo is, he is a bit older than Sissy, but he’s pretty spry for his age. Then we have Pete, the son of Alpo who has had a drinking problem, but turns out to be a pretty good vet and then a mish mash of other memorable characters that add to the enjoyment. The book goes between multiple people describing their thoughts and actions, past and present. I personally enjoy this type of book. I loved Sissy’s mother, and I smiled, really smiled and chuckled at the ending. A perfect way to end a story. There were many places in the book that deserved a big smile and chuckle.
We learn of the trials and tribulations of living long winters, in a remote area sometimes only accessible by snow mobiles or everyone hunkers down until spring comes along. The author has a wonderful way of describing the scenes, the café filled with morning coffee drinkers, you could almost hear the hustle and bustle in there and the town gossip, plus you can envision Pete and Duke getting in his canoe for just a few examples.
I am giving this one 5*****’s. It’ not a mystery book, other than looking for Rauri, and there is not a lot of suspense, nor is it based on a true story, this is just a feel good, down to earth read with wonderful characters. My kindle read this book to me via Bluetooth and it was hard to stop listening and have to do something else, like work.
I am so glad I was given the opportunity to receive this book from University of Minnesota Press through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This one gets a high 5*****’s.