Ordinary Grace

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Compare Ordinary Grace to other novels by William Kent Krueger, like the Cork O’Connor books. Discuss how it is similar or different from his other work. If you’ve never read Krueger before, what other writers would you compare him to?
• Was there any facet of the book that you connected to strongly? Explore those emotional connections. Were there any parts of the novel that you found inauthentic or that you felt distanced from? 

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Reflect on the novel’s exploration of faith. How does it intersect with your own perspective on faith? Did the novel affect or change your thoughts on faith?
• Consider the concept of “ordinary grace” in the context of your own experience. How does ordinary grace manifest in your everyday life?
• The novel takes place in a small Midwestern town and is concerned with the idea of community. Discuss the book’s treatment of community through its portrayal of New Bremen. How does it resonate with your experience with and thoughts on community?
• Discuss the role of women in the novel.