Laurentian
Divide by Sarah Stonich
272 pages
Another
bitter winter is loosening its grip on Hatchet Inlet, a small town against the
ridge of the Laurentian Divide in northern Minnesota. The community has been
awaiting the arrival of the last private landowner in the Reserve, Rauri Paar.
His appearance marks the spring thaw. There is even a pool going on at the
local restaurant, Pavola’s, as to when Rauri will first appear. But this year,
he’s late. Very late. So late that many are beginning he died out there. And as
they wait, they like to imagine what happened to him.
Pavola’s
is the community gathering spot where the local trade stories, gossip, grab a
bite, and hang out. The community wants to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of
Pavola’s waitress, Sissy, to a retired miner, Alpo. But without Rauri, the town
is bracing from bad news rather than getting in the mood to celebrate.
The
story shifts to daily life in Hatchet Inlet. I got to know almost everyone in
the area, and sometimes all the names and characters was a little overwhelming.
The plot, while a continual arc, reminded me of Sherwood Anderson’s “Winesburg,
Ohio.”
As
the wedding date approaches, the community gets more and more nervous, waiting
for Rauri. In one section of the book, Alpo’s son, recovering alcoholic Pete,
decides he must be the one to head up to Rauri’s home and see just what the
heck is going on. As Pete travels the waters, battling the weather, the tension
runs high.
Without
any answers, Pete returns to Hatchet Inlet, where the wedding must go on, where
Rauri is there or not. When he finally does, the impact is so underwhelming, I
almost missed it.
“Laurentian
Divide” receives 3 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
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