Title: Staggerford
Author: Jon Hassler
First published January 1, 1977
304 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780345333759 (ISBN10: 0345333756)
Rating: 3.91
Overview
A small Minnesota town is the setting for this heartwarming tale that will restore your faith in the beauty of ordinary life. Follow the journey of a 35-year-old bachelor school teacher as he navigates through an extraordinary week filled with unexpected surprises, the joys of living, and the excitement of endless possibilities.
With wit, intelligence, and compassion, this story will leave you feeling absolutely uplifted. “Absolutely smashing….An altogether successful work, witty, intelligent, compassionate.” THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER
About the Author
Jon Hassler, a renowned writer, hailed from Minneapolis, but spent his formative years in the small towns of Staples and Plainview in Minnesota, where he graduated from high school. He pursued his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from St. John’s University in 1955, and while teaching English at three different high schools in Minnesota, he received his Master of Arts degree in English from the University of North Dakota in 1960.
Hassler continued to teach at the high school level until 1965, after which he embarked on his collegiate teaching career. He taught at Bemidji State University, Brainerd Community College (now called Central Lakes College), and finally at Saint John’s, where he became the Writer-in-Residence in 1980.
During his teaching years, Hassler married and had three children. His first marriage lasted 25 years, following which he had two more marriages, with the last being to Gretchen Kresl Hassler.
In 1994, Hassler was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, a disease similar to Parkinson’s, which caused vision and speech problems, as well as difficulty walking. Despite this, he continued writing and finished a novel just days before his death.
In 2008, Hassler passed away at the age of 74 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.[1]
As a tribute to his contribution to the field of literature, the Jon Hassler Theater in Plainview, Minnesota, is named after him.
Editoral Review
Staggerford is an exceptional novel, one of the finest ever written about small-town America. Jon Hassler’s 1977 masterpiece is a delight of literary storytelling that offers an insightful exploration of the human condition.
Hassler is a renowned author whose work is known for its profound humanity and introspective style. In Staggerford, he offers readers a poignant depiction of the complexities of daily life in a small town in the Midwest.
The book is set in 1950s Minnesota, a time and place where the rural way of life is rapidly changing. In Staggerford, Hassler explores the tension between the traditional values that anchor small-town life and the rapid change of modernity.
The story follows the lives of the residents of Staggerford, including the schoolteacher Miles Pruitt, who weaves in and out of the book with his eccentric mannerisms and his kindly spirit. Hassler’s characterization of Pruitt is particularly masterful; he is a gentle, intelligent man who embodies kindness and wisdom.
Other characters, including the failed artist Agatha McGee and the alcoholic newspaper editor Douglas Finn, are also deftly drawn and make contributions to the story. The book’s themes are complex and far-reaching, dealing with issues of identity, society, and memory.
Hassler’s greatest strength is his ability to explore the intersection of the human psyche and the society that contains it. The book’s setting is well-realized, as the author shows the reader the interconnectedness of the people of Staggerford and their town.
Through the eyes and thoughts of his characters, Hassler builds an absorbing portrait of humanity. He captures the petty politics, gossip, and envy of a small town, but also the profounder emotions of love, death, and a yearning for connection.
Hassler’s writing style is just as noteworthy – Staggerford is the epitome of literary craftsmanship. His prose is stylish, intelligent and poetic, full of metaphors that are both profound and sometimes funny.
He writes with a skillful hand, a keen eye for detail, and an ability to convey emotion effectively. The book’s plot, while leisurely paced, relies on the careful development of its characters’ lives and relationships to create an affecting and unforgettable experience.
If Staggerford has any flaw, it is only that the plot meanders; it is not strictly linear, and at times the reader may lose track of where they are in the timeline. However, this is also a strength as it allows characters to develop in between major events, and for the reader to more fully understand their relationships.
Ultimately, it is clear why Hassler’s Staggerford is still thought of as one of the greatest American novels. It is a masterful exploration of the human experience that rewards the reader with insightful observations, touching moments, and an unforgettable cast of characters.
Anyone searching for a slow-paced, profound read that will leave them pondering long after the final page is turned should read this magnificent literary classic. It is a must-read for fans of literary fiction, small-town America, or anyone searching for the meaning of life.
The Washington Post gives Jon Hassler’s Staggerford five stars, rating it an exceptional work of literature that is not to be missed.
