"Hilarious, smart, moving, and kind, Laurentian Divide is good for the soul, or anyway, it was good for mine."—Richard Russo
"There aren’t many writers on the planet who can take a reader’s heart apart and put it back together again with the sureness of Sarah Stonich, who does exactly that over and over again in Laurentian Divide, her best yet. Funny and wise in equal measure, here’s a novel for everyone. What a treasure."—Peter Geye, author of Wintering
"With seamless grace, Sarah Stonich has again woven the towering majesty of Minnesota's Arrowhead Country with the endearing miscellany of its denizens, creating a tapestry both elegant and earthy. Here, reader, are joy and artistry."—Faith Sullivan, author of Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse
"Laurentian Divide is rich, funny, and overflowing with life—Sarah Stonich at the top of her powers."—Will Weaver, author of Sweet Land
"With a nimble hand and wry voice, Sarah Stonich pilots this generous tale—incisive, musical, and spiced with pungent observation so that Laurentian Divide becomes the best sort of trip."—Leif Enger, author of Peace Like a River and Virgil Wander
"It was a pleasure to spend time with these characters again and see the family they have created within their community. Sarah Stonich’s beautiful prose, sly humor, and obvious fondness for her subject matter make Laurentian Divide a must-read."—Pamela Klinger-Horn, Excelsior Bay Books
"Thanks to Stonich’s keen depictions, this is a small town peopled with actual people: diverse individuals united by a common experience of place. Laurentian Divide transports attention to a ‘scrap of near-nowhere’ because ‘life isn’t something that happens to you—how you choose to react to what happens is life.’"—Foreword Review
"Stonich weaves past and present into a lyrical, immersive novel. Fans of Kent Haruf and Paulette Jiles will fall in love with Stonich’s depiction of Minnesota: harsh and welcoming, friendly and unforgiving, all at once. Exploring the consequences of actions set in motion months, years, or even decades ago, Stonich’s slow burn of a novel questions what—and who—can belong to us."—Booklist
"Laurentian Divide does what a good sequel should. It fills in details and updates on the characters that we love, but also tells a compelling story of its own. There is an understanding of the bittersweet realities of life, an acceptance of the good and bad that comes with the simple act of living." —Nicole M. Burrell
09/01/2018
Stonich follows up Vacationland with the second "Northern Trilogy" title, although this novel can stand alone. It's set in Hatchet Inlet, at the northernmost edge of Minnesota, near the ridge of the Laurentian Divide, where spring arrives in May when the ice starts to break. Lively Sissy has found love again with the older Alpo, and their wedding is imminent. Alpo's son Pete, the town veterinarian, is a recovering alcoholic whose inner battle is a constant stress to all. When the local beloved hermit Rauri, who usually navigates over to the mainland from his private island after the spring thaw, does not come into town, everyone starts to worry for his safety. When Pete heads out in nasty weather to check on Rauri, the happiness of the wedding plans are strained. VERDICT Stonich's hefty, strikingly descriptive writing captures the stark, dangerous yet undeniably beautiful land and waters of the area. Her characters leap off the page and linger in readers' minds. Since most people in the country are unfamiliar with the harsh conditions that the folks in northern Minnesota face, this novel is a gust of fresh icy air that is emotional, diverse, and enlightening.—Beth Gibbs, Davidson, NC
